A special screening of the film We Are Not Powerless, featuring a Q&A with directors Muzafar Ali and Jolyon Hoff will start Refugee Week in Murwillumbah on Sunday June 14.
The film is being presented at the Regent Cinema by the Uki Refugee Project.
We Are Not Powerless tells the story of what can happen when a community refuses to give in and instead creates hope through education and connection. More than a decade ago, Muzafar Ali and his wife Nagina Zahra escaped the Taliban in Afghanistan only to become stranded in Indonesia due to Australia’s policy of ‘Stopping the Boats’.
They despaired for the education of the children in their group, as refugees were forbidden from attending the local schools. A $200 donation enabled them to establish ‘Cisarua Learning’ in a small two-room school. Since then, the Cisarua schools have grown to benefit more than 1300 refugee students and 130 refugee teachers.
“We are really looking forward to welcoming the incredible Muzafar Ali back to our community after visiting us on his marathon Ride for Education cycling from Maleny to Adelaide last June,” the Uki group says.
Muzafar and Jolyon will be providing a Q&A after the films, and everyone is also welcome to come along early for a chat with them at 5pm.
This event is an important fundraiser for Cisarua Learning.
The evening will be a fitting and inspiring way to highlight the commencement of Refugee Week 2026.Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Tickets $20 available here or at the door unless sold out.
