• A Charles Sturt University Islamic scholar has published a new history of Muslim Australians’ military service in the Australian defence forces from 1885 to 1945
• Academic reviews have hailed the study as remarkable scholarly work which demonstrates meticulous research and academic rigor
• The book enriches the understanding of Australia’s history and highlights the enduring contributions of Muslim communities to the nation

A new chapter in Australian military history has been opened by a Charles Sturt University researcher who has unearthed and chronicled the extent of Muslim Australians’ service in the Australian armed forces.

Dr Dzavid Haveric (pictured inset), Adjunct Research Fellow in the Charles Sturt Centre of Islamic Studies and Civilisation, is an expert on the history of Islam and Muslims in Australia and the author of the new book, A History of Muslims in the Australian Military from 1858 to 1945: Loyalty, Patriotism, Contribution.

As an Islamic history expert, Dr Haveric’s extensive research of the history of Muslim Australians’ military service since the 19^th century has explored archival data and revealed family stories and testimonies that contradict many stereotypes.

He records Muslim involvement in Australian military forces in the Sudan (1885) and Boer (1899-1902) wars through to World War I (also known as ‘the Great War’) (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945).

This study has been hailed by academic peers as a remarkable piece of scholarly work that demonstrates meticulous research and academic rigor.

Dr Haveric said he is proud to be able to correct and embellish the record of the Australian defence forces and contribute to a better understanding of the rich and complex place of Australian Muslims in the national social fabric.

“I have been able to demonstrate that Australian Muslims and their descendants from many ethnicities, races, sects and cultures took part with Australian non-Muslims in fighting for the common cause during times of national significance,” Dr Haveric said.

“For the first time, my book reveals many unknown historical facts about Muslim involvement in the colonial forces and the Australian Army, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Australian Navy, and Merchant Navy.”

Dr Haveric said he wrote the book from a Muslim and multicultural perspective because it is important for Muslims to write their own contributions to Australia’s national narrative.

“The book is a Muslim narrative of a broader ANZAC story and the interfaith dimension of the wars that brought together Muslim and non-Muslim Australians,” he said.

“It demonstrates how Australian Muslims and their descendants put Australia ahead of individual cultural and religious considerations.”

Dr Haveric said while he has explored the broader history of Australia and the specific history of Muslims on the continent, he has tried to offer insights into their diverse ethnic backgrounds and theological school differences to provide an account of the loyal contributions of Muslims to their new country during both well-known and lesser-known wars.

“I also explain general contexts, and changes in defence policies towards Muslim Australians between the 19th century, World War I and World War II and how these aspects contribute significantly to the broader understanding of the social and cultural dynamics at play during these periods,” he said.

“I hope this work not only enriches our understanding of Australia’s history, but also highlights the enduring contributions of Muslim communities to the nation.”

A History of Muslims in the Australian Military from 1885 to 1945: Loyalty, Patriotism, Contribution is published by Cambridge Scholars Publishing (June, 2024).

ENDS