Strangers within in the "lucky country": Arab-Australians after September 11

Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and the Middle East

Volumn 24, Issue 1, 2004, Pages 233-243

  Mason, Victoria ^a  

^a NONE

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

TERRORISM;

EID: 15044346391     PISSN: 1089201X     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1215/1089201x-24-1-235     Document Type: Review

References (121)

1. No author listed, "Caught in the backlash: Human rights under threat worldwide in aftermath of September 11 attacks," Amnesty International Australia website (8 Oct. 2001) (1 Dec. 2003);
2. "Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and all forms of Discrimination," Report on Australia by Mr. Maurice Glèlè-Ahanhanzo, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, submitted pursuant to Commission on Human Rights resolution 2001/5," Commission on Human Rights, Fifty-eighth session, Item 6 of the provisional agenda. 45, United Nations Economic and Social Council 26 February 2002, (4 Nov. 2002).
3. It is important to note that by using the term "Arab-Australians" I am not attempting to present the many communities that fall under this umbrella term as a homogenous group, but rather to use a term that refers to a cultural group of shared language and heritage, a term that has been utilized by the communities themselves from the time of the 1990-1991 Gulf War as a unifying definition.
4. The use of the catchcry of the "Lucky Country" to describe Australia gained currency after the publication of a book by that tide by scholar Donald Horne in 1964. Although Horne used the phrase ironically in his critical commentary on the state of the Australian nation, it has since become one of the most widespread expressions used when describing Australia. It has been used to describe everything from Australia's weather, lifestyle, and general economic prosperity to encapsulating the general feeling that Australia has managed to escape, through its relative isolation, much of the conflict and turmoil outside its shores. "The Lucky Country," Australia's Culture and Recreation, (26 July 2004).
5. Trevor Baltrouney, "From 'White Australia' to Multiculturalism: citizenship and identity," in Arab-Australians Today: Citizenship and Belonging, ed. Ghassan Hage (Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 2002), 38-42.
6. Baltrouney, "White Australia to Multiculturalism," 60.
7. Kate Legge, "Climate of tolerance gets frosty," The Australian (6 May 2002), (9 Sept. 2002).
8. Roland Jabbour, "Impact of the Israeli-Palestinian Crisis on Arabic Australians," Australian Arabic Council May 2002, (25 Nov. 2003).
9. Kevin M Dunn, "Racism in Australia: findings of a survey on racist attitudes and experiences of racism" (paper presented at the conference "The Challenges of Immigration and Integration in the European Union and Australia," The University of Sydney, Sydney, 18-20 Feb. 2003), 1.
10. Dunn, "Racism in Australia," 2.
11. "Isma - Listen: National consultations on eliminating prejudice against Arab and Muslim Australians: Issue 6," Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Website, October 2003, 1-7, (27 Nov. 2003).
12. Cited in Scott Poynting, "'Bin Laden in the Suburbs': Attacks on Arab and Muslim Australians before and after 11 September," Current Issues in Criminal Justice 14:1 (July 2002): 45.
13. Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 45.
14. Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 46.
15. Cited in "Isma - Listen: Issue 6," 2.
16. Capdevila Gustavo, "War on Terror: UN Documents wave of anti-Muslim reactions," Asia Times, (26 March 2002), (28 Nov. 2003);
17. "Isma - Listen: National consultations on ehminating prejudice against Arab and Muslim Australians: Issue 5," Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Website, September 2003, 1-3, (27 Nov. 2003).
18. Unsigned hate mail sent to the Lebanese Moslems Association in Sydney. Cited in Legge, "Climate of tolerance gets frosty." Around 200,000 Arab-Australians are of Lebanese descent, making them the most numerically dominant group of Australians with Arab background. As Lebanese migrants were also among the first nationals from the Middle East to arrive in Australia, "Lebanese" came to be synonymous with "Arab" and "Middle Eastern." Despite Arab-Australians increasingly coming from a diverse range of Middle Eastern countries, this popular conflation has largely continued, with many Arab-Australians popularly assumed to be Lebanese. This has become particularly problematic in the wake of increasing prejudice and hostility towards Arab-Australians, as the abbreviated term "Leb" has become used as a general anti-Arab slur. Baltrouney "From White Australia to Multiculturalism," 39.
19. Extract from email sent to the Centre for Refugee Research at the University of New South Wales and forwarded to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. Cited on "Isma - Listen: Issue 5," 2.
20. Muslim students in Shepparton, Victoria, 29/5/03. Cited on "Isma - Listen: Issue 6," 1.
21. Interviews conducted by author in 2002.
22. Interviews conducted by author in 2002.
23. "Isma - Listen 6," 1.
24. "Isma - Listen 5," 3.
25. "Sikhs "target" of racial slurs," Sikh.com.au, (9 December 2001) (28 Nov. 2003).
26. Poynting, "'Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 45.
27. Jeremy Jones, "Assaults and Insults: Review of anti-Semitism in Australia in 2002" The Review, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, February 2003. Cited in "Isma - Listen: Issue 5," 3.
28. Story told to me by daughter in question. Permission granted to cite this story.
29. Christine Asmar, "The Arab-Australian Experience," in Australia's Gulf War, eds., Murray Goot and Rod Tiffen (Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 1992), 57-81;
30. Ghassan Hage "Postscript: Arab-Australian belonging after 'September 11,"' in Arab-Australians Today, 241-248;
31. Baltrouney, "From White Australia to Multiculturalism," 37-62;
32. Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 43-64;
33. Scott Poynting, "'Street Arabs' and 'Mug Lairs': racism, class-relations and moral panic about Lebanese-Australian youth," in Arab-Australians Today, 145-160;
34. Hanifa Deen, Caravanserai: Journey Among Australian Muslims (Fremantle: Fremantle Arts Centre Press, 2002).
35. Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 44.
36. James Jupp, From White Australia to Woomera: The Story of Australian Immigration, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002), 193-196.
37. Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 46;
38. Jupp, White Australia to Woomera, 193-196.
39. Hage, "Postscript," 241.
40. Jupp, White Australia to Woomera, 194;
41. Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 47.
42. Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 47.
43. "Terror threat justifies immigration crackdown: Howard," TCM News (7 November 2001). (27 Nov. 2003).
44. "Refugee Council of Australia position on the 'Children Overboard' Incident and the Pacific Solution: Excerpt from the RCOA Submission to the Senate Select Committee on a Certain Maritime Incident," Refugee Council Australia, March 2002, (1 December 2003).
45. Cited in Nikos Papastergiadis, "The Fear of Difference." Forthcoming publication, 2004.
46. Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 48;
47. Alexandra Kirk, "Ruddock on "children overboard" refugees," PM Program, (7 March 2003). (1 Dec. 2003).
48. Stephen McDonell, "Interview with Dr Ghassan Hage," Four Corners (26 August 2002). (7 Nov. 2002).
49. Criminal Gang or Islamic Gangs?" Media Watch, (9 September 2002). (29 Nov. 2003).
50. Janet Albrechtsen, "Talking race not racism," The Australian, (July 17 2002). , 1-4 (28 November 2003).
51. Albrechtsen, "Talking race not racism," 1-4.
52. In David Fickling, "Racially motivated crime and punishment," Guardian, (23 September 2002). (28 Nov. 2003);
53. Albrechtsen, "Talking race not racism," 1-4;
54. "Criminal Gang or Islamic Gang?"
55. Hage, "Postscript," 242-243;
56. McDonell, "Interview with Dr Ghassan Hage."
57. Eamonn Duff, "Crisis centre says gang rape a problem across all races," Sydney Morning Herald, (21 July 2002). (29 Nov. 2003).
58. Sally Neighbour, "The Australian connections," Four Corners, (12 June 2003). (1 Dec. 2003).
59. "Firebugs threaten mosque attacks," The Age, (17 October 2002) (1 Dec. 2003);
60. David Fickling, "Mosque attacks leave Muslims fearing backlash," The Guardian (18 October 2002).
61. Richard Carlton, "Islam in Australia," 60 Minutes, (10 November 2002). (11 Nov. 2002).
62. Andrew Bolt, "Reform Islam Here," Herald Sun, (20 October 2002) reproduced at http://www.pastornet.net.au/jmm/aasi /aasi0847.htm> 12 January 2003).
63. Bolt, " Reform Islam Here."
64. Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 43-45.
65. Asmar, "The Arab-Australian Experience," 71-72.
66. Such activities were undertaken by the likes of U. S. President George Bush and the U.K.'s Prince Charles. Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 45.
67. Deen, Caravanserai, 385.
68. Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 56;
69. Hage, "Postscript," 241-248.
70. Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 56.
71. Robert Manne, "Beware the new racism," The Age, (16 September 2002). (1 Dec. 2003).
72. The world chador in Australia generally refers to the garment known elsewhere as the abaya, or the Islamic garment that covers the hair, comes under the chin and covers the clothing to the floor.
73. Richards Phillips, "Australian prime minister gives the nod to anti- Muslim racism," World Socialist Web Site, 29 November 2002, (25 Nov. 2003).
74. Outrage over Fred Nile's chador ban call," Sydney Morning Herald, (21 November 2002). (1 Dec. 2003).
75. Cited in "PM tightlipped on Nile's comments to ban Muslim dress," Australian Broadcasting Commission News Online, (21 November 2002). (27 Nov. 2003).
76. Cited in Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 50.
77. Cited in Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 51.
78. Daily Telegraph (17 Ausgust 2001), 8, cited in Poynting, "Bin Laden in Suburbs," 53.
79. Daily Telegraph (12 Oct 2001), cited in Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 55.
80. Albrechtsen, "Talking rare not racism," 1-4.
81. Daily Telegraph (18 September 2001). Cited in Poynting, "Bin Laden in the Suburbs," 55.
82. Cited in Manne, "Beware the new racism."
83. Hage, "Postscript," 248.
84. Samuel Huntington, "The Clash of Civilisations?" Foreign Affairs (Summer 1993): 22-37.
85. West Australian, (23 April 2002).
86. Tony Jones, "Call for jihad against Australia rejected," Lateline (1 November 2001). (27 Nov. 2003.)
87. Jabbour, "Israeli-Palestinian Crisis on Arabic Australians."
88. "We are all boat people," , (27 Nov. 2003);
89. "Australian asylum protest spreads," BBC News (23 January 2002) , (1 Dec. 2003);
90. "Australian press critices asylum stance," BBC News (23 January 2002). , (1 Dec. 2003);
91. Alexandra Kirk, "Children overboard senate inquiry," AM Radio (23 October 2002). , (1 Dec. 2003);
92. "Free the Refugees" Australian Democrats, (26 Jul. 2004);
93. Tony Stephens, "We're here, get used to it students give refugees younger voice," Sydney Morning Herald (21 June 2004) (28 Jul. 2004);
94. Cynthia Banham, "They're in: Tampa refugees PM wanted out," Sydney Morning Herald, 3 September 2003, , (26 Jul. 2004);
95. "Interview: Democrats Leader Andrew Bartlett," Sunday Sunrise Programme, 8 February 2004, (26 Jul. 2004);
96. "Policies: Immigration and refugees," Greens Party Australia, (26 July 2004).
97. The Democrats, while condemning the government's position on refugees, were regarded at the time of the elecion as not taking as stong a position on the issue as they could have, and thus were not as successful in capturing dissaffected leftwing votes as the Greens. Alison Dellit, "Greens Capture Humanitarian Vote," Green Left Weekly, (21 November 2001). (28 Nov. 2003).
98. Asmar, "The Arab-Australian Experience," 68-69.
99. Tony Jones, "PM accuses anti-war protester of siding with Saddam," Lateline, (20 February 2003). (1 Dec. 2003).
100. David Fickling, "Australians fear Bush link backlash: Public failure to rally round flag foxes experts," The Guardian, (16 October 2002). (1 Dec. 2003).
101. Fickling, "Australians fear Bush link backlash."
102. Fickling, "Australians fear Bush link backlash."
103. Deen, Caravanserai, 9,386.
104. Ethnicity and Crime in NSW: Politics, Rhetoric and Ethnic Descriptors," Australian Arabic Council, (15 Jan. 2003). (25 Nov. 2003).
105. Interview with author, Sydney, April 2001;
106. Victoria Mason, "Ghurbah: Constructions and negotiations of home, identity and loyalty in the Palestinian diaspora," in Loyalties, eds., John Kinsella, Victoria Mason, Richard Nile. (API Network Press, in press).
107. Vanessa Walker, "Sheikh tells faithful: love it here or leave," The Australian, (24 February 2004), 1.
108. James Connor cited in Mason, "Ghurbah."
109. Connor cited in Mason, "Ghurbah."
110. Mason, "Ghurbah."
111. Connor cited in Mason, "Ghurbah."
112. Papastergiadis, "The Fear of Difference."
113. AAC Council, Sydney, 10 June 2003, cited on "Isma - Listen: Issue 6."
114. Interviews and conversations with author 2002, 2003.
115. Edward Said, "The Mind of Winter: Reflections on life in exile," Harpers Magazine, (September 1984).
116. Jabbour, "Israeli-Palestinian Crisis on Arabic Australians."
117. "Help uncover discrimination and vilification against Arab and Muslim Australians," Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Website: Media Releases 2003, 27 August 2003, , (25 Nov. 2003);
118. "Isma - Listen 5,";
119. "Isma - Listen 6,";
120. Scott Poynting, Greg Noble & Ien Ang, "Reporting racism after September 11" Joint Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission and University of Western Sydney project.
121. Deen Caravanserai, 387.