The earliest Lebanese immigrants to Australia settled in New South Wales in the late nineteenth century, escaping economic hardship and religious and political persecution under the Ottoman Empire.

Why did Lebanese immigrate to Australia?

Most immigrants were Muslim Lebanese from deprived rural areas who learned of Australias Lebanon Concession and decided to seek a better life. They were Muslims from northern Lebanon as Christian and Muslim Lebanese were unwilling to leave the capital city, Beirut.

Why did Lebanese people migrate?

Previous Explanations. In the past, some have attributed this human movement to persecution of Christians, who made up a large percentage of the emigrants and mostly came from the central district of Lebanon, called Mount Lebanon. all immigrants were Christian; in fact, many were Druzes and Muslims.

Why did these people immigrate to Australia?

South Australia not only received British migrants, but also a significant influx of Prussian farmers and tradesmen, initially seeking freedom from religious persecution. By the end of the penal transportation in 1868, approximately 165,000 people had entered Australia as convicts.