Amjad Hussain sits cross-legged on the colourful embroidered rugs of a suburban community centre to break his Ramadan fast with other men, but he longs for a day of feasting with his wife and children.
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"I have been away from my family for 12 years. The last time I broke fast with them was back in 2010," the 50-year-old Pakistani asylum seeker tells AAP in western Sydney.
"These men are my friends and acquaintances, they have become my family - I feel like I'm at home here."
The holy month of Ramadan, which ends this week, is observed by millions of Muslims who fast from sunrise to sunset.
The Imam Ali community centre at Guildford has become a hub for mostly Afghan and Pakistani refugees and asylum seekers, who come for an evening meal, or iftar, to break their fast. They pray in groups, drink chai and eat biryani.
Before fleeing Pakistan and arriving in Australia on a rickety boat in 2012, Mr Hussain worked as a journalist where he reported on the targeted killing of minorities.
That work saw him caught in the crosshairs of extremist Islamist terrorists.
"My wife and parents used to sit on their prayer mats all day while I was at work praying for my safety," he said.
"I frequently changed my route from home to office and vice-versa to keep myself safe. When I left for work each morning, there was no certainty that I would come back home," he said.
Mr Hussain was granted a temporary protection visa, following a bridging visa, and secured a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa in 2021.
"Almost everyone from my boat received their permanent visas and then sponsored their families. I am still waiting for the news to have a permanent visa."
In February the federal government announced plans for permanent protection visas for 19,000 refugees on temporary protection visas.
The separation from his family and ongoing security concerns in Pakistan for them have been "unbearable" he said.
Turning to his Muslim faith, especially during Ramadan, helps soothe the pain of separation, he added.
"I used to get depressed because I have been away from them for a long time then a positive change came," he said. "I just tried to talk with God ... I tried to meditate".
University of NSW researcher Belinda Little, said prolonged family separation is detrimental to refugees' mental and physical wellbeing.
They can benefit from engaging with religious, community, or sports groups, but family togetherness is important, Assoc Prof Little said.
Rahimi 48, who lives in the western Sydney suburb of Auburn - a popular landing spot for the Afghan community - also holds a safe-haven visa.
"I haven't seen how my kids have grown up in the last 12 years," said the refugee who does not want to use his full name, fearing reprisals against his family in Afghanistan.
"My daughter, whom I supported over many years to finish high school, is now barred under the Taliban from continuing her education at university."
The Taliban instituted the policy against female education as part of a raft of changes after taking over Afghanistan in 2021.
"My biggest regret is being unable to visit my father on his death bed while he waited for years to see me".
"I applied to the Immigration Department to visit my family, but they rejected my application to travel. I have been wracked with guilt ever since."
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Australian Associated Press
