Transcript Religious Diversity Islam in Australia

RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY
ISLAM IN AUSTRALIA
Faiza El-Higzi
History
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Islam presence in australia predates European
settlement – 16 century indonesian divers the
Makkasans
Afghan Cameleers from 1860-1900 ( 8 muslims
arrived in Melbourne for the Burke and Wills
expedition, the next group in 1866 were from
Rajasthan and Baluchistan in south Australia for the
Thomas Elder expedition
History
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The first mosque was built in 1861 at Maree SA
The Great Mosque of Adelaide was built in 1866
1870 muslim Malay divers were recruited for
pearling
Early 20 century Muslims of European descent were
allowed to enter under the White Australia Policy
History
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1920-1930 Albanian Muslims migrated to Austarlai
and built the first mosque in Victoria – Shepparton
in 1960 and the first mosque in Melbourne in 1966
The first religious tension took place in 1915 Battle
of Broken Hill – 2 afghan killed 4 Australians in
allegiance with the Ottoman Empire. They were
killed by the police
Migration
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After WWII Muslims from Bosnia and Herzegovina
were accepted under Australia migration policy
aiming for population growth and economic
development
Between 1967 and 1971 Turkish arrived – around
10000 under an agreement with Turkey
Multiculturalism
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In the 1970 Australia multicultural policy enabled
other groups to arrive eg Lebanese
Lebanese displaced by the civil war- 1975 came to
Australia to form the largest group of Muslims
By the beginning of the 21 century Muslims from
more than 60 countries settled in Australia
Demographics
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2011 ABS census more than 460 000 Muslims live in
Australia – 2.2 percent
NSW largest groups 50 percent followed by
Victoria 33 percent WA 7 percent Queensland 5
percent SA 3 percent and ACT 1 percent Tasmania
and NT both 0.33 percent
Muslims come from Lebanon, Turkey, Afghanistan,
Bosnia Herzegovina, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iraq,
Bangladesh, Iran, Fiji, Somalia
Muslims in Australia
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Majority of Muslims are Sunni
Smaller groups of Shia, Ahmadiyya and Indiginious
Australians
Islam the Religion
Basis of Belief
 Monotheism
 Belief in all Prophets and Messengers
 Belief in fate and in a day of judgment
Islam the Religion
Basis of worship
 Proclamation of faith
 Prayer daily five times
 Giving of charity
 Fasting the month of Ramadan
 Pilgrimage
Organizations
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Federation of Islamic Councils of Australia
Looks after religious affairs including mosques,
schools, halal certification
Community groups focusing on women, social issues
Contemporary Issues
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Trade links with the Middle East and Indian sub
continent
International students from Indonesia, Malaysia
Pakistan and Bangladesh
CONCERNS
September 11 attacks , Bali bombing, Cronulla riots
Report by HREOC 2004 Muslim Australians felt
media was critical and unfair
Concerns
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Social issues such unemployment
Average wages lower than national average
5 percent of Muslims earn more $1000 a week
compared to 11 percent
Women rights and perceived gender equality
Religious preaching
Extremism among youth. Currently ISIL
Concerns
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Issues of identity as family values and community
values conflict
Community leaders
Access to internet preaching
Lack of understanding of religion
Muslim Refugees
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Muslims arrived as refugees in the mid 1970
Lebanon civil war
Iranian Revolution
First Gulf war – Iraqis
Bosnian Serb Conflict
War on Terror – Iraqis, Afghanis, Iranians
Sudan civil war – small numbers
Somali civil war
Better Future
Instruments available to us in a secular society
 Universal Declaration of Human Rights
 Refugees Convention and Protocol
 Convention of the Child
 Convention against Torture
 Convention Violence against Women