Junior School Magazine - Edition 5 (June 2018)

I raqi I mmigrants B rought A bout C hange to A ustralian S ociety and as a C onsequence T hey H elped R eshape our C ommunity Australia is a multicultural society made up of diverse groups of people who emigrated to Australia for many reasons. People with different backgrounds together weave their unique cultures and values to form the vibrant fabric of Australian society. Some migrant groups flee from countries where there is terrible conflict, famine or drought. One such group of migrants that have recently been welcomed to Australia are the Iraqi refugees. For this group of immigrants, Australia presented a land of opportunity, safety and freedom for their families, who faced a lot of struggles and hardship in order to come to Australia. The main ‘push’ factor for why Iraqis immigrated to Australia was war. The main period of Iraqi immigration to Australia was in 2003, though they arrived in waves during 1992-1995 and 2008-2014. In 1990-1991, Iraq began and lost the “Gulf War” against Kuwait. In 2003, America invaded Iraq believing that the Iraqi government had links to terrorism and “weapons of mass destruction”. At the time, Iraq was having its own internal conflict between the two major Muslim faiths, the ruling Sunni minority (20%) and the Shia majority. The collapse of the Iraqi government by the Americans led to the uprising of rebel groups and terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIL causing widespread destruction and civilian deaths. Many Iraqis fled seeking safety in other countries. Many undertook the perilous journey by boat through people smuggling networks to Australia as there were few legal options to arrive in Australia. On arrival, asylum seekers were placed for months to years in detention as they had not yet been formally granted visas and had arrived illegally. A total of 4538 visas were granted under the Humanitarian scheme and for most, the journey finally seemed to be worth it. Most of the Iraqi immigrants settled in Sydney and Melbourne. This was mostly because they already had family living there. Many were skilled workers, such as teachers, doctors and engineers, and because Australia needed a skilled workforce at the time, many of these immigrants could be employed. By coming to Australia, they had access to good quality health care and education for their families. Though Australia presented many opportunities for these newly settled refugees, they also faced many challenges. This included learning the English language, different foods, climate, values, and many were still suffering with shock from their experiences of the Iraq war. However, most were able to overcome those challenges and give back to Australian society. The Iraqi migrant groups are not as well established as other immigrant groups but they are already shaping the Australian identity. They contribute to the growing representation of Islam in Australia. They showcase their music, dance, art and film through festivals like the Iraqi Cultural Festival and Iraqi Short Film Festival through which they share their migrant stories and culture with the broader Australian community. Many are employed as labourers, teachers, doctors and engineers. One notable Iraqi-Australian refugee is Munjed Al-Muderis, a surgeon who fled by boat after refusing to mutilate captured rebel fighters. He is now a professor of orthopaedic surgery and is recognised for his work in helping soldier amputees. Iraqi-Australians are welcomed into our society, however they continue to face public criticism who express concern about their Muslim faith, especially with the many terrorist attacks happening in the name of Islam. Other concerns include their language barriers and unfamiliarity with Australian laws and customs. Australia is yet to see the full impact of the Iraqi immigration into Australia, but they are already giving an important voice to Australian immigrants. Iraqi Australians came to this land fleeing the crisis and conflict in Iraq in search of a better future for themselves and their families. In coming here, they were not just able to find safety, but become a part of a community which is proud of its diverse and multicultural roots. Although Iraqis are a relatively new migrant group, they are already enriching Australia’s identity through their contributions to the Australian workforce and sharing their culture, religion and powerful migrant stories.

Anna Thomas Year 6W

JSM Edition 5

Page 13