To raise political and civic awareness among the immigrant community residing in Finland, the Hazara Culture House, with support from the multicultural network Moniheli, organized a panel discussion titled “The Importance of Participation in Regional and Municipal Elections in Finland.” The event was held in Helsinki with the participation of political party representatives, candidates from immigrant backgrounds, civil society activists, and members of the Hazara community in Finland.
The event was moderated by Mr. Hossain Ansari, a member of the Cultural Committee of the Hazara Culture House, and officially opened with remarks by Mr. Latif Fayaz, the chairman of the Hazara Culture House in Finland. After extending Nowruz greetings to attendees, he presented a visual presentation outlining the structure of regional and municipal councils in Finland, the registration and voting process, and the importance of active immigrant participation in urban decision-making processes.
He emphasized that political participation plays a crucial role in social integration and that the conscious and responsible engagement of immigrant citizens in local elections can strengthen participatory democracy in Finland and improve urban policies.
Following the opening, a specialized panel discussion on “The Importance of Participation in Regional and Municipal Elections in Finland” was held with representatives from Finland’s major political parties. This session was co-moderated by Ms. Kubra Amini and Mr. Naeem Panahi, members of the executive board of the Hazara Culture House. Representatives from the following parties participated:
- Ms. Veronika Honkasalo – Left Alliance
- Ms. Jenni Pajunen – National Coalition Party
- Ms. Reetta Vanhanen – Green League
- Mr. Tanveer Choudhry – Social Democratic Party
- Ms. Eeva Kärkkäinen – Centre Party
- Ms. Mia Hafrén – Swedish People’s Party of Finland
The party representatives emphasized the importance of immigrant participation in local governance. They answered audience questions and elaborated on their party policies regarding immigration, social integration, education, urban services, and support for cultural diversity.
Another informative segment of the event included the introduction of Afghan-origin candidates running in Finland’s regional and municipal elections. The candidates shared their election goals, proposed programs, and motivations for participating in local politics:
- Ms. Nasima Razmyar – Deputy of the Social Democratic Party and current Member of Parliament
- Ms. Zahra Husseini – Secretary of the Hazara Culture House and candidate for Espoo City Council
- Mr. Ahmad Hosseini – Candidate for Helsinki City Council
- Mr. Zabih Yawari – Candidate for Espoo City and Regional Councils
- Ms. Eva Tavasoli – Candidate for Vantaa City Council
In the second part of the event, a cultural and artistic celebration was held in honor of Nowruz, featuring performances by Afghan-origin artists. This segment opened with a speech by Mr. Nabi Esmatzadeh, a member of the executive board of the Hazara Culture House in Finland. Following this, Ali Zargham, a well-known dambura player and folk singer, along with Hafiz Habibi, Ms. Miri Sofia, and DJ Ali performed traditional music, receiving warm appreciation from the audience.
The cheerful and friendly Nowruz atmosphere created a joyful spirit among families and participants. The event concluded with a traditional Haft-Seen and Haft-Mewa table, symbolizing renewal, spring, and the cultural continuity across generations as celebrated in Nowruz.
This event was a successful example of integrating civic awareness with the preservation of cultural values in Finland’s multicultural society. By organizing such events, the Hazara Culture House plays a vital role in enhancing political knowledge, promoting democratic participation, and supporting social cohesion.
Acknowledgment
The Hazara Culture House in Finland extends its heartfelt thanks to all participants from various sectors of the host and immigrant communities, political party representatives, civil society, and cultural organizations. We deeply appreciate the support and contributions of each and every individual who helped make this event a success. Special thanks to Moniheli for supporting from this program.
