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Mohammad Maleki and Hessam Safaei are an Arab Ahwazi refugees imprisoned by the Australian government for 9 years including 6 years on the notorious Manus Isand prison camp. During his time on Manus Island, Maleki's poetry was published by Verity La, Rochford Press and many others. Wilkins recorded Maleki's poetry and wrote a piano composition to accompany it, with Safaie's art work. In 2022, incredibly, they were released into the Brisbane community just before the national election. In 2023 Wilkins is writing a song cycle for soprano and piano using the text of Mohammad's poetry. Spanish cellist Kathleen Balfe will perform Wilkins' composition "Exit" for cello and spoken or sing voice using Maleki's text. She is also collaborating with Michal Imielski on a sci-fi opera using some of Maleki's texts
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Adnan Choopani is an Arab Ahwazi refugee imprisoned by the Australian government for 9 years including 6 years on Nauru from when he was 16 years old. Keyna and Adanan recorded a cover of Pink Floyd's Shine On You Crazy Diamond via zoom from his prison cell (soon to be released on all streaming platforms). Keyna also collaborated with Adnan and his cousin Mehdi, also detained, on Bob Marley's We Shall Be Released. A few months later they were released into full USA citizenship with full rights and a life of dignity.
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