Muslim lifeguards help patrol Sydney beach in unity effort

[ck4829]

A team of Muslim lifeguards — including a woman dressed in a modest "burquini" — began patrols this week on a Sydney beach that was the scene of frenzied race riots between Australia's Caucasian majority and its Middle Eastern minority in late 2005.

The violence erupted in the popular beachside neighborhood of Cronulla, when around 5,000 mostly male, Caucasian youths launched an alcohol-fueled rampage against anyone who looked Middle Eastern. They were spurred by rumors that a group of Lebanese-Australians had attacked two white lifeguards.

The Cronulla riot touched off two nights of retaliatory attacks by carloads of Middle Eastern youths, shocking this city of 4 million that had prided itself on being a successful multiracial melting pot.

Earlier this week, the national lifeguard association, Surf Life Saving Australia, certified a team of Muslim guards in a bid to overcome the stereotype of the bronzed, blond rescuer and promote racial unity.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070209/ap_on_re_au_an/australia_muslim_lifeguards

[xultar]

1. Muslim lifeguards - HOT...Muslim men are Fine! The women are pretty but the MEN

Ohh LA LA!

Back to your regularly scheduled post.

[msongs]

2. what is the connection between being muslim (a choice) and "fine" (an accident of nature)? nt

[treestar]

3. Sounds like they have more problems with racism than we do

Seriously.