A once abandoned street, these recently arrived Afghan refugees have revitalised this once down-trodden part of the city. Where shops had previously robbed and vandalised, these budding business owners took a chance and created a community.
Yunus Noori was one of the first Afghan businessmen to set up a store.
He says rent was cheap, and there was a gap in the market to cater to the area's growing migrant population. Where many other aspiring business owners saw failure, he and a dozen other refugees saw opportunity.
“Now we can see the number of development, huge number of business, successful business operating in this area. The community has totally changed,” Yunus says.
Afghan Road Source: Supplied
Even looking back a decade ago, there would’ve been a stark contrast with what the northern end of Prospect Road looks like today.
Gary Johanson, Mayor of Port Adelaide Enfield says, “We've had numerous Afghan refugees move into the area and they've just embraced the area. They've take it on wholeheartedly, and they've developed it.”
“This was very derelict and deserted with many, many empty shops.”
Hanif Rahimi owns Khurasan Supermarket, and found this as an opportunity to rebuild the life he lost when he fled Afghanistan. “I never think I am going to Australia [sic], I was thinking to get out of the country, that situation, because it was very very dangerous, even myself they nearly killed me.”
Mayor Gary Johanson gets a haircut from one of the local businesses on Prospect Road. Source: Supplied
Selling Middle Eastern dried fruits, imported food and speciality meats, Khurasan supermarket is important in connecting the refugee community with items from home.
As a Hazara man, Hanif wasn’t allowed to open a business back home in Afghanistan. “If you are Hazara, you are not allowed to go ahead and become a business man. This is Pashtun's right,” he says.
Khurasan Supermarket sells Middle Eastern goods. Source: Supplied
When he first arrived in Australia, Hanif started driving a taxi to make ends meet. After a year, he decided to start up his own fleet. This business grew from two employees to forty drivers. With this success behind him, it inspired Hanif to open up the supermarket he runs today, and he sees it as a way to give back to the community.
“We are happy we try to do something better and better for the community. This is my community, we do something better now,” he says.
Rahim Zaidi is another business owner that wants to give back to the community that allowed his passion for cooking to thrive.
Rahim (left) owns Ghan Kebab House. Source: Supplied
He is the owner of Ghan Kebab Store, a Middle Eastern restaurant and started a local soccer team for Afghani youths as his way of giving back.
“Yes why not? I love my job, I love my job and my soccer and my family too,” he says.
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