The Cronulla riot touched off two nights of retaliatory attacks by carloads of Middle Eastern youths, shocking this city of 4 million that had prided itself on being a successful multiracial melting pot.

Earlier this week, the national lifeguard association, Surf Life Saving Australia, certified a team of Muslim guards in a bid to overcome the stereotype of the bronzed, blond rescuer and promote racial unity.

With more than 15,000 miles of coastline, Australia has an extensive network of paid and volunteer lifeguards — easily identifiable in their regulation yellow and red uniforms.

The Muslim lifesavers were recruited from a sporting club in the Lebanese-dominated suburb of Lakemba, in southwestern Sydney, with help from a $624,000 federal grant.

Jamal Rifi, president of the Lakemba Sports Club, said the program has already helped to break down racial barriers and heal the rifts left by the riots.

Rifi said the presence of 17 volunteer lifesavers from Sydney’s Lebanese community had also helped break down the perception that Muslims are disengaged from mainstream Australian society.

Surf Life Saving Chief Executive Brett Williamson agreed, saying the new recruits and others in the pipeline would be "the best advocates for surf safety and beach harmony in their communities."