Mehreen Faruqi says her Australianness feels 'conditional'

Mehreen Faruqi, the deputy leader of the Australian Greens, has expressed that her feeling of being Australian is conditional. Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Faruqi often watched her brothers play street cricket, a passion that she yearned to have. After arguing for her right to play, she found herself on the makeshift pitch. Despite growing up in a city she described as the "best city in Pakistan," Faruqi's childhood was fraught with violence due to conflicts between India and Pakistan.

Living through these hardships, she remembers being two years old and sitting on her mother's lap, clutching a pencil to prevent it from shattering during bomb blasts.

Faruqi met her husband, also an engineer, while both were working in Pakistan. Their marriage was arranged, though not forced. However, due to corruption and the deteriorating situation in Pakistan, they moved to Australia in 1992. Struggling with the demands of full-time work and raising children, the family eventually moved to Port Macquarie, where they both found employment with the local council.

Faruqi's involvement in community work, particularly in land care and refugee support, led her to consider a career in politics.

Although Port Macquarie was a safe National seat, Faruqi joined the Greens and ran for a position in the New South Wales state parliament in 2013, becoming the first Muslim woman to sit in an Australian parliament. She was elected to federal parliament in 2018, becoming Australia's first Muslim senator. However, Faruqi believes becoming the first Muslim woman in the New South Wales parliament was not a consideration when she ran for office.

Faruqi has faced criticism for her stance on various issues, including abortion and the government's decision to light up Canberra's parliament house with the colors of the Israeli flag after October 7. She defends her actions, stating that she criticizes not only the Israeli government but also the Australian government. Faruqi emphasizes that her experience in parliament has been challenging, with colleagues questioning her religious beliefs and agency.

She asserts that her Australianness is conditional on keeping her head down and her mouth shut, as expressing opinions in a liberal democracy often leads to backlash.