The Syrian Association in Sydney aims to uncover and equate both intermediates, in effect, drawing in and connecting Eastern and Western civilizations together. Moreover, to gain an insight on indigenous ancient cultures such as Islam and the West in defining the cross-cultural link between Syrians and Australians today. Or rather the inherent, actual wisdom or perceptivity that is at the core of us all and therefore shedding light to those elements that have embedded solidly throughout the different civilizations which have flourished in Syria and Australia today. We hope you will discover the magnificence of the two civilizations.

University Students / Academics and fellow Australian friends we welcome you and hope you will gain a wider scope and better perspective of the true colour of Syria today and its correlation to Australian society.

In 2004 the commencement of The Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in Canberra, headed by the first Ambassador to Australia H.E. Mr. Tammam Suliaman has positively introduced conversation and dialogue with Australian Officials, Academics and friends and subsequently reinforced Syria’s relation with regard to Australia today. The engagement of both the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic with distinguished Australian representative across Universities and communities with in Australia has made it potentially attainable for University students and the general public to unmask stereo typical views within community and gain a wider perspective of matters interlinking both Syrians and Australian’s today.

In the past stereotypes portrayed Syria as a Land of Nomads “Western minds still bemused by the nineteenth century traveler’s tales and pictures of the Romantic Orient “(Jean Hureau). But in fact Syria today is a nation systematically developing and changing so rich in culture and diversity. Today stereotypes portray Syria as “The Axis of Evil or the Evil Empire” but unfortunately little is known and a lot remains to be understood. In the international, Syria is a peaceful nation. Always striving and unconditionally involved in the quest for peace.

As Professor Clements at the Australian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (ACPCS) at University of Queensland had spoken in 2006; “Despite what be said about it by people on the other side of the Pacific it occupies an pivotal role in the peace building process in the Middle East” Further more Professor Clements said;

The Syrian doesn’t look warlike at all as he would carry out his duties during the day. “Children wander the fields of orchids with books in their hands alternatively studying Mathematics, Languages and Philosophy” (Jean Hureau). The Syrian is friendly, approachable, tranquil and reflective. He does not discriminate of race or religion.

Both Australians and Syrians are comparatively at each other’s end of the cultural spectrum and exhibit different cultural upbringings and societal elements, in effect have different viewpoints. However, today the increasing interaction between Syrians and Australians has appreciably drawn both much closer within the community. Concomitant to this is the outreach of the distinguished Syrian Community Members to fellow Australians, in general, that is, with regard to their co-ordination of interest alongside Australian viewpoints today.

Australia is a proud multicultural nation in equally accepting and acknowledging different ethnicities and faiths and in the same respects the different ethnicities and faiths that have flourished throughout the vast history in Syria remarkably manifest today. Syria is renowned for its extensive history, diverse ethnicities, its various faithful beliefs, literature, drama and art. Above all, Syria’s sincerity and acceptance of Western custom is pronounced.

Its capital city, Damascus still sheltered with imagery of collapsed civilizations of times gone by. It’s almost surreal … Just as in Australia, Syria’s coast and country side is very much surrounded by very sincere and welcoming folks that live in and around villages.

Like the Australian the Syrian does not exhibition himself but at the end of the day his achievements and accomplishments are very apparent. We do hope you will be able to see the many contributions and participation of Syrians here in Sydney, Australia.

R. Darwich
Master of International Relations
Macquarie University, Sydney.
BSc. Major, Biology / Sub, Microbiology
University of Western Sydney.
Australia.

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