Abstract
In the wake of the events of September 11, 2001, one fallout from the horrific attacks was a backlash across the world against people of Arab descent.1 While there has been much discussion of this reaction in the United States and across Europe, less attention has been paid to the vilification of people of Arab descent in other countries such as Australia. While the Australian case is not an isolated phenomenon, the impact of 9/11 on Arab-Australians is particularly interesting within the context of Australia's policy of multiculturalism.2 Officially, Australia's multicultural policies have been seen as an integral part of the so-called "lucky country" of Australia, a land of fairness and opportunity for all.3 In reality, the position of Arab-Australians has been far more ambiguous, with a strong history of prejudice directed against them. However, within this historical context, 9/11 and the events that followed - the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the Bali bombings - represented a particularly significant moment for people of Arab descent in Australia. For as well as overt attacks and vilification, the compatibility of Arab ethnicity and Islam to Australia and the very identity of Arab-Australians as "Australian" were questioned. To be framed in this way, as strangers and a threat in their own country, was a devastating blow for many Arab-Australians.
Arab migration to Australia has spanned over one hundred years and approximately half a million Australians claim some form of Arab descent.4 Many members of Arab-Australian communities are now second-generation Australians or have lived in the country for the majority of their lives. Arabic is the fourth most commonly spoken language in the country, with the largest proportion of these Arabic speakers born in Australia.5 Today Arab-Australians constitute populous and diverse communities within Australia. Following the events of 9/11 however, Arab-Australians found themselves under attack.