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Who are Australia's radicalised Muslims? Who are Australia's radicalised Muslims?
(about 1 month later)
Major anti-terror raids have taken place in Australia as the country grapples with what authorities describe as a serious threat from extremists supporting the Islamic State militant group. The BBC looks at the issue of radicalised Australians. The BBC looks at the issue of radicalisation among Australia's Muslim community, amid heightened concern in Australia over foreign fighters and those who sympathise with them.
How serious is the problem?How serious is the problem?
Authorities are concerned about the radicalisation of a minority of Australia's small Muslim community. Authorities are concerned about a minority of Australia's small Muslim community.
They have said that at least 60 Australians are fighting with extremist groups in Syria and northern Iraq. Another 20 have returned to Australia after fighting in those places.They have said that at least 60 Australians are fighting with extremist groups in Syria and northern Iraq. Another 20 have returned to Australia after fighting in those places.
Spy chief David Irvine, the director general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, has said about 15 Australians have been killed so far in these conflicts, including two suicide bombers.Spy chief David Irvine, the director general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, has said about 15 Australians have been killed so far in these conflicts, including two suicide bombers.
He also said 100 or more people within Australia were "actively supporting" militant groups by recruiting new fighters, grooming suicide-bombing candidates, and providing funds and equipment to militants.He also said 100 or more people within Australia were "actively supporting" militant groups by recruiting new fighters, grooming suicide-bombing candidates, and providing funds and equipment to militants.
Who are the Australian jihadists?Who are the Australian jihadists?
Terrorism expert Clive Williams of the Australian National University says Australian jihadists are Sunni Muslims, the branch of Islam which the Islamic State (IS) follows.Terrorism expert Clive Williams of the Australian National University says Australian jihadists are Sunni Muslims, the branch of Islam which the Islamic State (IS) follows.
Studies have shown that more than half of those who have embraced radicalism were born in Australia and about 60% are of Lebanese heritage.Studies have shown that more than half of those who have embraced radicalism were born in Australia and about 60% are of Lebanese heritage.
Most were married with children, and were not particularly religious prior to believing in extreme Islamic ideologies.Most were married with children, and were not particularly religious prior to believing in extreme Islamic ideologies.
In terms of specific individuals, some details are known. Arrest warrants were issued in July for two IS fighters, Khaled Sharrouf and Mohamed Elomar. What about specific individuals?
Some details are known. Local media have also described Mohammad Ali Baryalei, a former Sydney bouncer, as Australia's most senior IS member.
A warrant has been issued for his arrest. On 29 October, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the government was trying to confirm a report that he had been killed in Syria.
Arrest warrants were issued in July for two IS fighters, Khaled Sharrouf and Mohamed Elomar.
Sharrouf was one of eight people arrested for plotting to attack the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor in Sydney. He was jailed in 2008 and served four years.Sharrouf was one of eight people arrested for plotting to attack the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor in Sydney. He was jailed in 2008 and served four years.
In December, he slipped out of the country using his brother's passport. It is believed that a young boy photographed earlier this year holding a severed head, is one of his sons. In December, he slipped out of the country using his brother's passport.
The two men arrested during the Islamic centre raid on 10 September were named by local media as Agim Kruezi and Omar Succarieh. On 21 October, a video emerged of an Australian teenager who had joined IS threatening attacks on PM Tony Abbott, the US and the UK.
Succarieh is believed to be the brother of Abu Asma al Australi, said to be the first Australian suicide bomber to die in Syria. The 17-year-old, named as Abdullah Elmir but who calls himself Abu Khaled, was believed be in Syria. He later appeared in a second video.
Local media have also described Mohammad Ali Baryalei, a former Sydney bouncer, as Australia's most senior IS member.
A warrant has been issued for his arrest and the most recent raids are said to have been linked to an intercepted phone call involving him.
Tackling Australia's home-grown jihadistsTackling Australia's home-grown jihadists
Teenager behind Iraq blast What do we know about their activities?
Australia boy 'displays severed head in Syria'
Australia arrests two in Islamic centre raid
Australia raids over 'Islamic State plot to behead'
When did it hit the headlines?
The problem caught national attention earlier this year as conflicts in Iraq and Syria intensified.The problem caught national attention earlier this year as conflicts in Iraq and Syria intensified.
In July an 18-year-old from Melbourne blew himself and several others up in a suicide bomb attack in Iraq. Authorities said he was the second Australian suicide bomber.In July an 18-year-old from Melbourne blew himself and several others up in a suicide bomb attack in Iraq. Authorities said he was the second Australian suicide bomber.
Images then emerged of Sharrouf and another Australian IS fighter, brandishing the severed heads of what appeared to be Syrian government soldiers. Images then emerged of Sharrouf and another Australian IS fighter, brandishing the severed heads of what appeared to be Syrian government soldiers. A young boy presumed to be Sharrouf's son was holding a head in one image.
In September, authorities raided an Islamic centre in Brisbane, Queensland, arresting two men believed to have been recruiting people to fight in Syria.In September, authorities raided an Islamic centre in Brisbane, Queensland, arresting two men believed to have been recruiting people to fight in Syria.
On 12 September, Australia raised its terror threat level from medium to high - meaning that an attack was likely. They were named by local media as Agim Kruezi and Omar Succarieh; Succarieh is believed to be the brother of Abu Asma al Australi, said to be the first Australian suicide bomber to die in Syria.
This was followed a week later by terror raids linked to an apparent plot to kill members of the public selected at random. On 12 September, Australia raised its terror threat level from medium to high - meaning that an attack was likely. This was followed a week later by terror raids linked to an apparent plot to kill members of the public selected at random, linked to an intercepted phone call involving Mohammad Ali Baryalei.
What is the government doing?What is the government doing?
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has pushed for anti-terror legislation to target home-grown terrorists, including making it a criminal offence to travel to certain areas without a valid reason. In early October, Australia joined the US-led coalition carrying out raids on IS sites, with PM Tony Abbott saying it was a "death cult" that must be stopped.
The government is also planning to criminalise encouragement of terrorism, and make it easier for authorities to restrict the activities of suspects, and to search their homes. A first set of national security measures including tougher restrictions on media reporting of special intelligence operations was passed in early October.
The second phase is anti-terror legislation to target home-grown extremists.
Mr Abbott said the legislation would make it easier to "charge and to prosecute people who have been engaged in terrorist activities overseas". It would also make it harder for Australians to travel to certain countries without a valid reason.
The government is also planning to criminalise encouragement of terrorism, and make it easier for authorities to restrict the activities of suspects, and to search their homes. It wants to make it harder for so-called "hate preachers" to enter the country.
Known as the foreign fighters bill, on 29 October the counter-terrorism legislation passed the Senate. It still needs approval from the government-dominated House of Representatives.
New counter-terrorism units have been set up at Sydney and Melbourne airports, with plans for such units at all international airports.New counter-terrorism units have been set up at Sydney and Melbourne airports, with plans for such units at all international airports.
Counter-terrorism units in Australia airports
Australia plans tougher travel laws
How has the Muslim community in Australia reacted?How has the Muslim community in Australia reacted?
Australia's mostly overseas-born, moderate Muslim community makes up just 2.2% of the country's population, according to the 2011 census.Australia's mostly overseas-born, moderate Muslim community makes up just 2.2% of the country's population, according to the 2011 census.
Prominent community representatives have condemned extremist violence. The Grand Mufti - the top Muslim religious authority in the country - told Fairfax Media: "We are the first ones to oppose anyone who may think of harming Australian society."Prominent community representatives have condemned extremist violence. The Grand Mufti - the top Muslim religious authority in the country - told Fairfax Media: "We are the first ones to oppose anyone who may think of harming Australian society."
But they have also criticised the Australian government's proposed anti-terror laws, saying they would restrict freedoms and harm relations with the Muslim community.But they have also criticised the Australian government's proposed anti-terror laws, saying they would restrict freedoms and harm relations with the Muslim community.
They have raised concerns that Australia's military involvement in Middle East conflicts would stoke radicalisation at home. They have raised concerns that Australia's military involvement in Middle East conflicts would stoke radicalisation at home. And campaigners have also reported a rise in verbal or physical attacks on Muslims in recent weeks.