Under The Same Sky

In Iran a woman has no rights. After years of abuse, Mojgan Shamsalipoor was about to be married off to a much older man. She was seventeen years old. Her mother, who had been unable to protect her, urged her to seek refuge somewhere safe. Making their way to Indonesia, Mojgan and her brother Hossein paid people smugglers to help them find sanctuary. They were told Australia would help them.



Years earlier, Milad Jafari and his family fled political persecution in Iran. They had also risked their lives to come to Australia by boat. It was before the tide turned on compassion towards refugees.



Then Milad meet Mojgan. After time in Christmas Island, Darwin and Brisbane detention centres, Mojgan was allowed to go to school and live in the community. They fell in love and dreamed of making a life together in Australia. They married and made plans.



Their dreams were shattered when Mojgan was sent back to detention. Her refugee status was denied and so was her chance to study. Mojgan and Hossein were locked away, and told they had to return to their country of origin. For them, that would mean prison, torture or death.



For two years the Brisbane community fought for Mojgan's release. But the loudest voice was always Milad's. A campaign to Free Mojgan gained country-wide support and in September 2016, Mojgan was released. But there is still no certainty for her, and no guarantee that she will be allowed to stay. Their story, UNDER THE SAME SKY, shares Mojgan and Milad's powerful refugee experiences, reminding us that any compassion we give brings our country great rewards. Ultimately, it shows that love can find a way, no matter the obstacles.