Syrian refugee brothers in Victoria to receive global peace award


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Two refugees who fled war-ravaged Syria for Australia are to be honoured with a global peace prize.


Brothers Omar and Saad Alkassab, aged 20 and 23, are due to be jointly awarded the Messengers of Peace Hero award – as part of the international Scouts movement – by Victorian Governor Linda Dessau on Saturday.


The award recognises their contribution to creating positive change in Australia through raising awareness of the situation in Syria and preventing radicalisation and extremism, Scouts Victoria said ahead of the ceremony.





Omar says young refugees who struggle to find a sense of belonging become easy prey for the Islamic State propaganda machine.


“One of the many reasons people become radicalised (in Australia) is because they feel like they don’t belong to this country … they sit online and they can become brainwashed,” he told AAP.


“Nothing beats radicalisation like a sense of community, and for me, Scouting has really helped.”


But the global organisation is not new to the brothers. They were a part of a small group of Scouts in Syria providing food and aid to those affected by the civil war, which made them a target.


In this Oct. 2, 2012 file photo, smoke rises over Saif Al Dawla district, in Aleppo, Syria

In this Oct. 2, 2012 file photo, smoke rises over Saif Al Dawla district, in Aleppo, Syria


As the war intensified, their Scout group was destroyed and leaders, including Omar, were kidnapped and tortured.


“I don’t even have the words to explain what I experienced, I was lucky to be released but I had friends who disappeared,” he said.


After he was released in 2014, his family made the decision to flee to Australia and settled in Melbourne.


Omar and Saad rejoined the Scouts at Watsonia and share their experiences during talks at schools, workplaces and the community.


Chief Commissioner of Scouts Victoria Brendan Watson says the Alkassab brothers are “remarkable.”


“Despite the trauma of losing their home and most of their possessions, and many of their friends and family, they continue to strive to be positive,” Mr Watson told AAP.


“Their message is one of peace and community building.”



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