One half of the 2020 Youth Week WA Ambassadors, Zahra Al Hilaly is a young changemaker determined to set positive change in areas such as intersectionality engagement and empowerment. Zahra is currently studying Law and Journalism with aspirations to work in the human rights legal field. During our interview, we opened up conversation about breaking down barriers that exist for different minorities, what privilege means, youth empowerment and the upcoming Youth Week WA KickstART Festival.

In a nutshell, who are you, what do you do, what do you feel strongly about?

I am everything and more; I think that words limit our true description of who we are. Nonetheless, in simple terms, I’d like to think that I’m a star – a ball of energy waiting to disperse my light wherever I go.

 In terms of what I do, I’m currently studying a double degree in Law and Journalism, with the aspirations to work in the human rights legal field whilst also developing my own social enterprise in the Middle East to empower women and girls who have been oppressed. My passions lay within the empowerment of refugees, migrants and asylum seeks to become leaders, specifically females and those identifying as non-binary. With parents who are both refugees and migrants, I’ve witnessed the side effects of diaspora and the power it has to disempower many.

As cliché as this sounds, I’m also interested in creating a world of peace; peace for women of colour, peace for our indigenous brothers and sisters, peace for the LGBTQI community, peace for our nature and most importantly, peace for humanity. However, this peace will not be attained until we join forces and work together, so I will continue working to mobilise youth from the abundant intersectional backgrounds to find the spark inside of them and ignite it to create that fire to change the world.

There is without a doubt, barriers that exist for different minorities. For those who are aware of these disparities, in a position to help and wanting to help, what can we do? Or what should we do to help create a world of peace? 

The power that young people have to change this world is beyond words. When I speak about creating a world of peace it all intertwines with the mobilisation of young people, especially those with barriers limiting their power to contribute. I used to believe that creating a change had to be done at a global level, however, it all starts at a grass-root level. If we can work to mobilise as many young people as possible within our respective communities to understand the power of their voice and give them the platform they deserve; we will have more people fighting this battle.

To whoever is reading this, you already have more privilege than someone who does not have access to the internet; so if you can work to empower the voice of those with barriers stopping their growth than we are on the right track to achieving this peace. 

What are your thoughts on privilege?

Privilege comes in absolutely any form, from the colour of an individual’s skin, the gender an individual identifies with or even having access to the basic human rights of education, shelter and food. However, when I speak of privilege in modern day media, I often find myself questioning why there are minimal voices showcased of individuals directly affected by issues prevalent in our wider society. Media often accentuates the voices of young people who have the resources to campaign and highlight the work they do, however, it’s voices that come from low socio-economic backgrounds that have yet to be given the platform. As such, I am a firm believer that we must start giving the platform to intersectional voices affected by the widespread issues found within our society. There’s a quote that states “if you aren’t invited to the table, bring a folded up chair,” but unfortunately what we fail to highlight is that many young people don’t even have the resources to buy that “folded up chair.” We must ensure that everyone is given a spot at the table, and unfortunately more often than not, privilege (in all forms) is what gets you a seat on that table. 

Via our correspondences, you mentioned that you were a bit apprehensive about your answer on privilege, why is that?

In regards to privilege, I think that it is a very subjective topic especially because privilege is innate - many people are blinded by their privilege because they are often unaware that there are so many forms of privilege other than the synonymous term of money. More often than not, many people that I have had such conversations with has ultimately lead to people taking my points personally. Whilst that is never my intention, you’re correct these conversations are inevitable in the process of eliminating exclusiveness and ensuring cohesive inclusion. 

What do you do in your role as Youth Ambassador? What do you hope to do in this role?

To answer this question, I think I first have to acknowledge that I dislike the term ‘Youth Ambassador.’ The connotations behind such a strong word have led young people like me to believe that leadership is associated with having a position of power – when it is anything but that. I hope that by working together with the team, I can show young people that we don’t need these big and fancy words to verify that we are leaders within the wider society. Leadership isn’t the position you hold, instead it is what actions you take; if I can show my brothers and sisters that, then I know I have achieved my goal.

Why is it important to have events such as Youth Week WA KickstART Festival?

KickstART Festival is an opportunity for intersectionality – something that has yet to be normalised. All my life, I’ve been used as the token that checks of the “Muslim,” “female” or “hijab-wearing” category – but KickstART is more than that – it intertwines all the different identities within Western Australia and provides different minorities the platforms that aren’t given!

As a youth yourself, what do you think is our strongest and weakest asset?

I believe that this question is very subjective. I initially thought that our strongest and weakest asset was our mindset. On one hand it is our weakest because we can often fall into this mindset of thinking that because we are young, we can make no change at all. On the contrary, it may be our strongest asset because the passion of youth is infinite. However, after delving into this question – it is a bitter reality that so many young people have different barriers including economical and environmental, that limit their passions from growing.  Ultimately, I don’t think that there is a solid answer to this question.

What does art and youth mean to you?

The power behind storytelling is exponential. I am a firm believer that if we are to change this world, storytelling will pave the path. However, we often associate storytelling with dialogue – when really it is art. Today, our youth is comprised of many minorities and if there’s one similarity we have in common, it is that we are first generation to embrace our various identities. So, to intertwine both art and youth, there is no doubt that incredible stories will be embedded into the intersectional history that we will create.

What does the Youth Week WA 202 theme Koora, Mila Yeyi mean to you? How do you interpret it?

Indigenous culture is one that embodies storytelling and to me, the words “Koora, Mila, Yeyi” reinforce this notion. My profound desire to story-tell to change this world in evident through all my work and as such, I hold this theme close to my heart. To me, the term “Koora” or past is one that exemplifies that we cannot allow the stories that have wafted within the air for centuries upon centuries to die. We must preserve these important stories and embed them within the indigenous soil that we stand on. The term “Mila” meaning future is a constant reminder that the land that we stand on is Indigenous land; we must ensure that this land and the stories and history that is embedded on this land is never lost - right now and most importantly for our future. “Yeyi” meaning present is a term that incessantly reminds me that every second on this world is not promised. The present time is our strongest asset to make the change we desire. Essentially, “Yeyi” is a reminder that my voice is so powerful and I must utilise it now to create the change that I desire. That change must be made now. 

Both Youth Ambassadors will champion this year’s Youth Week WA KickstART Festival running from 17 – 24 April. Zahra continues to be a leader in multicultural communities, and aims to foster broader engagement and involvement in intersectional youth. Follow her on Twitter.

INERVIEW BY: YOSHIKA KON

Note from Propel: The Youth Week WA KickstART Festival 2020 Program states in Zahra’s bio that her parents were refugees from Iran and Palestine. This information is incorrect. Zahra’s parents were refugees from Iraq and Palestine. We apologise for any confusion caused.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia we have cancelled the upcoming Youth Week WA KickstART Festival, which was scheduled to take place from 17 - 24 April. Please click here to read our full response.