Replica of 'Buddha of Bamyan' built by Hazara asylum seekers

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/p...
A group of Hazara asylum seekers from Afghanistan, who are living in a Melbourne suburb, want to build a replica of a sixth century Buddha of Bamyan. The famed Buddhas, enormous figures carved into rock face, were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001. Although they are generally Shi’a Muslims, Hazara people value the Bamyan Buddhas as part of their cultural heritage.
The project was the result of cooperation between several different organisations and individuals (details below) based in the City of Greater Dandenong where the asylum seekers live. The replica Buddha is on display in the city centre.

Glenda Arthur
Community Development Manager
Keysborough Learning Centre (incl Men’s Shed).
(Auspiced by Resurrection Catholic parish, Keysborough).
http://www.klckeys.com.au/

Nadine Hantke

Community Development Worker in the Origins Program
ERMHA (Eastern Region Mental Health Association)
http://www.ermha.org/

Ashleigh Newnham
Community Development Project Worker
Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre
http://www.smrc.org.au

Sal Sal, replica of a Buddha of Bamyan, was hosted by Dandenong’s Heritage Hill Cultural Precinct.
http://www.greaterdandenong.com/secti...

Photos courtesy of:
Michael Wright
City of Greater Dandenong

Production credits:
Camera: Peter Healy
Sound: Chris Coltman
Sound mixer: Tim Symonds
Editor: Alan Ryan
Producer: Margaret Coffey

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