Muslim doctor wins Australian Father of the Year award

Rifi has helped families whose children have been in danger of being radicalised

A Muslim doctor and community leader has been awarded Australian Father of the Year Award by the country’s Father’s Day Council and The Shepherd Centre.

Dr Jamal Rifi, of Lebanese descent, who has also previously won the Australian newspaper’s Australian of the Year, the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Award and the Pride of Australia Fair Go Medal, said that this award was “the greatest honour of them all”.

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The father-of-five, who has worked untiringly to build harmony in Australian society, has helped other families whose children have been in danger of being radicalised. "Unfortunately, some vulnerable people have been under the influence of the so-called Islamic State propaganda. [But] we were able to network within our community to talk some common sense into them by telling them that their action of even thinking of joining such an ideology is wrong in every aspect of life."

Rifi had also publically condemned the IS which led to him receiving death threats. "I did question my role as a father last year when me and my family received death threats for my public stand against the so-called Islamic State. I felt that I did put my family at risk but now as much as then, I knew as a matter of fact I wasn’t putting their lives at risk; I was protecting them so they will not be seen in any shape or form as condoning such a brutal ideology.”

For Rifi, his family is the centre of his focus. "The nucleus of any society is family and fathers have a vital role to play," he said.

The doctor is an inspiration for his children because of the work he does for the community.

"He’s achieved a lot but you know family is always number one for him. Everything he has done has been for the community... but also for us growing up so we don’t have to face these barriers," his eldest son, Faisal, said.

"He’s always taught us that you should never be scared and just to go for it. Don’t fear these people because what he’s done is helping the younger generation,” his youngest son, Jihad, said.

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Labor MP Jihad Dib, who is Rifi’s friend and patient, said, "Jamal is a community activist … but he’s a person who’s got a real social conscience and he’s a real powerhouse within the community," he said. "In the absence of a father, a lot of people go and speak to Jamal and he’s there standing with them."

Rifi is also the founding member of Australian Muslim Doctors against Violence and organised the Muslims 4 Australia barbecue attended by thousands in the community last year. Being the president of the Lakemba Sports Club, he came up with the idea to train youngsters from southwest Sydney to be pool guards and Cronulla surf lifesavers.

“It gives them the acumen where they can use whatever they learn on the sporting field and bring it into their day-to-day life,” he said.

This article originally appeared on SBS