26 June 2004
AUSTRALIA, ISLAM, RACISM AND PREJUDICE
Australia's self image as a friendly, welcoming people has suffered a blow with the publication of the survey of the experience of Arab and Muslim Australians in this country particularly in the aftermath of Sep 11th.
The report "Isma – Listen" released by the Human Rights and Education Commission earlier this month states that 58% of respondents reported experiencing instances of racist abuse or violence whilst walking in the street and 43% reported similar experiences in shops or shopping centres. The majority of these incidents were directed towards women. Overall 27% of respondents indicated they experienced some form of racist attack on a weekly basis.
The report provides background information to the survey, details the experiences of Arab and Muslim residents of Australia including recent arrivals and those whose families have lived in Australia for several generations, lists current initiatives to address the problem and makes recommendations.
The report also points out that contrary to popular understanding most of the Arab population in Australia is in fact Christian. In order the most common country of birth for Arabs born outside Australia are (the percentages shown are the proportion in Australia that are Christian) Egypt (84%), Lebanon (55%), Iraq (64%) and Syria (61%)
The report "Isma – Listen" released by the Human Rights and Education Commission earlier this month states that 58% of respondents reported experiencing instances of racist abuse or violence whilst walking in the street and 43% reported similar experiences in shops or shopping centres. The majority of these incidents were directed towards women. Overall 27% of respondents indicated they experienced some form of racist attack on a weekly basis.
The report provides background information to the survey, details the experiences of Arab and Muslim residents of Australia including recent arrivals and those whose families have lived in Australia for several generations, lists current initiatives to address the problem and makes recommendations.
The report also points out that contrary to popular understanding most of the Arab population in Australia is in fact Christian. In order the most common country of birth for Arabs born outside Australia are (the percentages shown are the proportion in Australia that are Christian) Egypt (84%), Lebanon (55%), Iraq (64%) and Syria (61%)
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