Australian Story: Mar 9

Tonight Australian Story profiles Dr Jamal Rifi, who has criticised his own Muslim community for supporting IS and tells how a popular Sydney G.P. became the ‘go to’ man in a time of crisis.

On the surface, it could be an inspirational story from the pen of a Hollywood scriptwriter.

Boy meets girl, they end up on the opposite sides of the world.

He gives up everything to travel to Australia to marry the woman he loves, battles to become a popular ‘old fashioned’ GP, and emerges as a community leader praised for his courage in the face of the Islamic State threat.

But in making a stand against extremism, he places his family in danger and puts pressure on some of his oldest friendships.

Welcome to the 24/7, whirlwind life of Dr Jamal Rifi.

For many years Dr Rifi was known simply as the old fashioned Sydney GP who conducts house calls, runs an ‘open door’ medical practice from home and helps people with their personal and financial problems.

But lately his community work has taken on extra significance with his outspoken contribution to the debate over IS and home grown extremism.

He’s won accolades from mainstream politicians but it’s also led to abuse and death threats and attracted strong criticism from other voices in the Muslim community who accuse him of saying only what white Australians want to hear.

As Australian Story reveals, it’s placed great pressure on his family, especially his wife Lana and Daughter Nemat.

Seemingly undeterred Dr Rifi has continued to urge young Australian Moslems not be seduced by the dangerous ideology of IS.

Australian Story explores Rifi’s background and observes him as he juggles his busy medical practice with his help towards families, some of them lifelong friends, as they struggling to deal with the radicalisation of their children.

8pm tonight on ABC.