SPECIAL COVERAGE: Election 2013 | Syria Unrest | NITV News | Comment & Analysis | Features
Sectarian and political divisions between the two main Islamic sects --
Shi'a and Sunni -- are rippling through parts of southwest Sydney, reports Patrick Abboud.
Sectarian and political divides between the two main Islamic sects - Shi'a and Sunni -- are rippling through parts of southwest Sydney as a result of the Syrian conflict, reports SBS video-journalist Patrick Abboud.
'Ibby': "Look at the society and the community, noone gets along anymore - it’s happening in Syria but it’s affecting us here because Shi'a are not getting along with Sunni, Sunni are not getting on with Alawi, Alawi are not getting on with anyone - that’s how it is - it’s affecting everyone..." - for more, watch our special video report or read a full transcript.
The Bankstown area has one of the largest Muslim and culturally diverse populations in Australia. Much the same as in Syria - the majority here are Sunni with only around 5 per cent of the community identifying as Shi'a or Alawi. There are other suburbs in Sydney which are dominated by the Shi'a and Alawi sects.
Religious Affiliation: Bankstown compared to all of AustraliaThe conflict in Syria is reported to have taken at least 20,000 lives since the uprising against the government began in March 2011.
Activists and human rights groups say August was the deadliest month so far, with more than 5,000 people killed. The new UN and Arab league envoy for Syria has described the destruction as "catastrophic".
While some Syrian-Australians mourn the loss of family and friends, there are others here who wait anxiously to hear any news at all.
Some recent incidents of violence in Bankstown have been allegedly linked to disputes sparked by the Syrian conflict. There are also several Facebook pages containing lists of Sunni and Shi’a businesses being boycotted.
NSW Police confirm there is growing tension in the area and boycott campaigns circulating online. They are monitoring the situation closely.
NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Nick Kaldas: "There are certainly some apprehensions and tensions within the communities – we view it very seriously." For more, watch our special video report.
The death of local Sunni Sheikh Mustapha Al Mazjoub in Syria on August 20 has inflamed divisions, with some community leaders claiming the situation is at its worst.
Some residents and shopkeepers in Greenacre say that as the uprising in Syria worsens, it gets worse here too.
But it's not a simple case of a war between the sects. The impact of the Syrian conflict on these communities is complicated - leaving locals questioning their allegiances.
For more, watch our special video report
Background:
BBC: Subdivisions of Islam explained
Global Mail: Concise history of the Sunni-Shi'a divide
Keep the reports coming
Thank you SBS for providing a special report on the tensions simmering in the Syrian communities in Sydney, it is important for people like myself who have no experience of civil war and the divisions it causes to be informed of how it's impacting on a part of our community. Asma Fahmi provided an informative analysis of the situation and the impacts on the community but I thought Kuranda Seyit added nothing to the discussion particularly given the organisation he was representing.
Fake user.
Ahh the classic blame the media. What are you actually accusing the media of doing are you implying there is no division or war in Syria and what the hell has reality tv got to do with anything? I just came out of the education system and it never once touched on religion so i dont know what your going on about there. By the way dont you mean "our history"? Yes yes the whole arab spring was a western invention which accidentally overthrew a western ally called Mubarak.
Elder
When my parents immigrated from Holland in 1952 they, and the family members, became Australian. My father who had fought the Germans in the Dutch army changed his allegiance to Australia. If Australia had declared war on Holland he would have expected his children to fight with Australia. Do you start to see the point I am making ... your not Syrian anymore your bloody Aussies! So be proud of being a part of this beautiful land, your new home.
Where muslims go trouble follows.
I ask all Muslim Australians to leave their teoubles in their old countries. " or are you too scared to know the ugly truth about your own history" Do you mean like the wars between the English and the French? Or between the Poles and the Russians?
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