Working with new and emerging communities: A guide

Sheet 9

This information sheet is general in nature. It provides some background about what has been happening to cause people to leave Iraq, as well as information about culture, ethnicities and religions. Its purpose is to develop a better understanding of new and emerging communities from Iraq and consequently, improve access to services and service quality for clients from these communities.

People from Iraq represent the highest number of arrivals in New South Wales under the humanitarian program between 2002 and 2013.

This trend is expected to continue. People from Iraq may have spent protracted time in refugee camps, detention and on dangerous journeys, which can create complex settlement needs.

What has been happening in Iraq?

Between 1980 and 2013, Iraq has experienced wars with neighbouring countries, international sanctions, occupation by United States-led coalition forces ending in 2011, insurgency, civil wars, sectarian violence and persecution.

Tribal and family systems, employment, livelihood, education and infrastructure (homes, religious and educational institutions, workplaces and farms) have been destroyed or disrupted. There are large numbers of internally displaced people, as well as refugees in neighbouring countries including Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

All ethnic, religious and cultural groups in Iraq have experienced violence and persecution.

The major ethnic, cultural and religious groups in Iraq There are many cultural, linguistic, ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq. The two largest ethnic groups in Iraq are Arabs (75-80%) and Kurds (15-20%). Larger minority groups are Turkomens and Assyrians. Around 95% of Iraqis are Muslim and about 4% are Christian. Many Christians have now left Iraq.

The two largest Muslim groups in Iraq are Shi’a Muslims (around 65% of people) and Sunni (around 35%). Sunni and Shi’a Muslims share the Qur’an and the main articles of Islamic belief. Differences in religious practice have evolved through different regional, historical and cultural experiences, as well as political and social developments. Both have various movements, orders, and sects. Most Arabic people in Iraq are Shi’a Muslims and most Kurds are Sunni.

Information about people from Iraq

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Ethnic groups in Iraq The main three groups are:

Ethnic groups other than the three shown above, include Assyrian (also known as Assyrian/Chaldean/Syriac), Armenian and Mandaean. Assyrians identify as descendants of the earliest civilisations of Mesopotamia. They are the largest Christian population in Iraq.

Assyrian and Kurdish people consider their homeland is made up of territory in Iraq and in neighbouring countries. Some of the territorial claims overlap. Since 2003, Kurds have had a semi-autonomous state in North

East Iraq. Mandaean people identify as a religion and as an ethnic group. They fled Iraq in large numbers. Mandaean people follow a number of prophets including Noah, and John the Baptist. Fresh water is central to their religious rituals. Mandaean belief is pacifist - they cannot join the military or use violence. Mandaeans who marry outside their religion are no longer considered Mandaean and converts are not accepted.

People from Iraq in NSW People from Iraq have been coming for many years, however the newer refugee communities may not find much in common with more established communities. NSW receives more people from Iraq than other Australian states. There are almost as many Christians who have come from Iraq as Islamic people.

The largest groups of people from Iraq who have arrived in NSW over the last 10 years are Arabs, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Kurds and Mandaean people. New arrivals among Iraqi Arabs include both Sunni and Shi’a followers.

Ethnicity in Iraq Main Language in Iraq Main Religion in IraqArab 75-80% Arabic Shi'a

Kurds 15-20% Kurdish dialects including Sorani and Kumanchi

Sunni

Turkmen About 2% Turkmen or Turkish dialects Sunni and Shi’a

Assyrian Assyrian; also known as Syriac or Neo Aramaic

A number of Eastern Orthodox Churches

Chaldean Assyrian: also known as Syriac or Neo Aramaic

Chaldean Catholic ( largest Christian group in Iraq)

Armenian Armenian Orthodox Christian

Mandaean Arabic Mandaic is a traditional language mainly used by priests

Mandaean (a Gnostic religion -neither Muslim, Christian nor Jewish)

Population characteristics in Iraq

Information about people from Iraq

Arab 75-80%

Turkmen 2%

Kurds 15-20%

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Working with new and emerging communities: A guide

Assyrian people in NSW mainly belong to the Assyrian Church of the East, the Syriac Orthodox Church and Chaldean Catholic church.

Some Kurdish people have recently arrived in Australia from Iraq (and Iran) but the more established Kurdish communities in NSW are from Turkey.

Currently, most people from Iraq live in South West Sydney, followed by Western Sydney, with some in Illawarra and the Hunter. Most Iraqi people in Sydney live in Canterbury, Bankstown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Auburn, Parramatta/Hills Holroyd, Blacktown and Mt Druitt. Smaller numbers have settled in the Macarthur, Central West, Riverina, and Northern Tablelands areas.

Some Iraqi ethnic groups live in particular areas, for example many Assyrians live around the Fairfield area, with some around Blacktown. Mandaeans are a new community. They live close to Mandaean priests and fresh water as they conduct regular ritual immersions. Many live around Liverpool, and some around Fairfield.

The main languages spoken by people from Iraq People coming from Iraq speak a diversity of languages and dialects.

The main languages spoken by refugees and new arrivals from Iraq are Arabic (almost 50%) followed by Assyrian (almost 40%) and Kurdish (about 4%). Other languages spoken by people from Iraq include Turkmen, Farsi, and Armenian.

‘Iraqi Arabic’ is different from the Arabic spoken in North Africa and the Mediterranean. Within Iraq there are a number of dialects, especially between the North and South. Most people from Iraq

will understand Iraqi Arabic and Gulf Arabic dialects, but may have difficulty with some dialects from the Mediterranean or North Africa.

Most Assyrian people in NSW speak a similar dialect. There are a number of Kurdish dialects, and speakers of one dialect may not be able to understand another.

Many minority groups such as Assyrian, Kurdish and Mandaean are bilingual, speaking their own language as well as Arabic. Although these groups can speak Arabic, they are not of Arab background.

Literacy levels in Iraq are estimated to be around 78% of the population over 15 years of age, with literacy levels approximately 86% for men and 71% for women.

Language assistanceLower literacy levels are common among recent arrivals from Iraq because wars, insurgency, and life as refugees have disrupted their education. This can make learning English more difficult.

Arabic interpreters are widely available in NSW. Check whether the background, gender and dialect of an interpreter are an appropriate match for the client. It may be important for the client that Arabic interpreters do not come from countries where their people have suffered recent persecution.

Currently, only a few accredited Iraqi dialect interpreters, Kurdish and Assyrian interpreters are listed on the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) website for NSW as being at the level needed for complex interpreting (including court interpreting).Matching interpreters to dialects may therefore be difficult at this higher level of language requirement.

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Sheet 9

Working with new and emerging communities: A guide

January 2014

Bilingual community workers may be willing to assist their clients for some appointments, consultations and other events that do not require complex interpretation.

Bilingual workers in NSW government agencies who receive the Community Language Allowance Scheme may also be able to assist with non-complex interpretation.

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