Dr. Jamal Rifi’s name is synonymous with quality healthcare, particularly in Canterbury-Bankstown, the greater western Sydney area, and among multifaith and multicultural communities across Australia.
His deep love for family, shaped by a tragedy he experienced as a child in Tripoli, Lebanon, is the driving force behind his passion for supporting the healthcare and wellbeing of others in the community.
“After losing my brother at a young age, I decided to become a doctor. Every family needs a medic. It was a pivotal moment in my life. It’s what made me want to dedicate my career and life’s mission to supporting others,” says Rifi.
He took the opportunity to study in Sydney and build his career, not only in healthcare but also in advocacy, supporting stronger relationships between elected members of Parliament and the Muslim community, particularly after the 2005 Cronulla Race Riots. The Cronulla Riots were a ‘tipping point,’ spreading hate and racism toward Middle Eastern communities in Sydney, much like Malcolm Gladwell’s analogy of a contagious disease, epitomising the strained relationship between Middle Eastern communities and Anglo-Australians during that period.
“I am a community activist. I represent the Lebanese-Australian community in my work and care for all Australians. Since the COVID-19 pandemic I have provided care to more than 37,000 people in my home, regardless of their culture and faith.
I have built relationships across Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities. I don’t believe healthcare should be politicised based in race or religion,” says Rifi.
Unfortunately, it is his work supporting better healthcare across borders and faith communities in Palestine and parts of Israel that has recently characterised his career, leading him into serious legal trouble in Lebanon – his birthplace.
Rifi’s contribution to Project Rozana, a charity whose core mission is to enhance Palestinian healthcare and foster cross-border relationships between Israelis and Palestinians.
“I have been convicted by a military court in Lebanon for my work with Project Rozana. I am still in legal dispute with the military court.
At the time of my conviction, I wasn’t notified about it, nor was I given the opportunity to present my case before the court, or other court in Lebanon. I was not afforded procedural fairness.
I found out through a journalist working for an Arabic media company in Australia that I had been convicted. I can’t fly to Lebanon. I wasn’t able to bury my mother.”
Rifi’s brother is a known political official in Lebanon.
Rifi has drawn support from the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and several members of Parliament, including Tony Burke MP, former Foreign Minister Marise Payne, and current Foreign Minister the Hon. Penny Wong. However, this support hasn’t been enough to secure his peace of mind and safe return to Lebanon.
Rifi is currently fighting his legal battle without the support of the Middle Eastern community, many of whom assumed it had already been resolved in court.
His brother, General Ashraf Rifi, former Police Chief and Minister of Justice in Lebanon, and a serving member of the Lebanese Parliament, is also awaiting a final outcome in Lebanon.
“I am a proud of my Lebanese heritage, but I won’t be able to travel to Lebanon anytime soon.”
Rifi is no stranger to controversy. He has faced challenges in the past, including death threats from within his own Muslim community.
Rifi feels nostalgic about his work in Palestine and parts of Lebanon, where he was part of a team that helped lease a submarine to search for the remains of migrants who drowned when their boat sank in 2022.
He is unapologetic in his support for the care and dignity of others – regardless of race, religion or political affiliation.
“To medical or health professionals in Australia wanting to support families overseas: don’t look back. Go and do it. You won’t regret it,” says Rifi.
