Australia Day is a day where people commemorate January 26, 1788, the day that Captain Arthur Phillip raised the flag of Great Britain and declared a colonial settlement of the British Empire in Port Jackson, later named Sydney Cove.
Though the day had been formally marked as ‘Foundation Day’ in the early years of the colony in New South Wales, the collective nation didn’t formally exist until federation on January 1, 1901.
Discussions about holding a national day were raised in the early 1900s and by 1935 all Australian states and territories recognised the January 26 as ‘Australia Day’.
It wasn’t until 1994 that the country began to mark the date as a national public holiday.
But for some Indigenous people - and an increasing number of non-Indigenous people who stand in support of them - it’s a day of mourning.
There's been widespread debate about whether the date should be changed from January 26.
SBS Arabic24 hit the pavements in Lakemba and Greenacre to gather opinions from Arab Australians about changing the date.
Hassan believes that Indigenous people have the "absolute right" not celebrate the occasion.
“Do you want Palestinians to celebrate the birth of Israel? Why are people surprised? You steal land and you expect people clapping for you?” he said.
On the contrary, Mohammad Al Omary believes that there was no need to change the date after more than 200 years, asserting that everyone had equal rights under Australian law, and thus he was against any change.
Charbel wanted the date changed and sympathised with the Indigenous cause and their sufferings, calling on the federal government to improve their living standards and to treat them "the way New Zealand treated its native people".
Unlike Charbel, Jamal believes that the whole thing is "historical", and demands to change the date were backed by political agenda.
“All that I care for is stability, security and my kids,” he said.
Heba said that “as a migrant, I celebrate it as Australia Day, yet Aborigines should get our sympathy".
"This day is suitable for kids and holiday and therefore, I am against changing it."
After living in Australia for 31 years, Jommana said that she "doesn’t care" about the debate and that she's too busy doing housework to care.
"All I care about is to take care of my husband who sits on a wheelchair."
