A new report has called on the Government to address Islamophobia with the same “urgency” as any form of discrimination.
Aftab Malik was appointed special envoy to combat Islamophobia by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in September 2024.
Malik’s responsibilities include investigating Islamophobia and consulting with Muslim communities.
His first report as envoy found Islamophobia is “persistent, at times ignored and other times denied but never fully addressed” in Australia.
Findings
Malik met with more than 100 Muslim community members, including experts and academics, to inform his report.
He found Islamophobia has “reached unprecedented levels” in Australia since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023.
Israel’s subsequent bombardment of Gaza and limitation of aid have been condemned by international governments. UN human rights experts have accused Israel of genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza.
Malik said accepted definitions of Islamophobia vary, but he defined it as a fear of, and a perceived “threat” from, Muslim people, involving a range of behaviours.
The special envoy’s report found that one in three Australians expressed negative attitudes towards Muslims in 2024.
Malik also found that although Muslim women face more “everyday Islamophobia,” Muslim men are “disproportionately” subject to systemic Islamophobia.
The report noted negative stereotypes about Islam had been perpetuated by the media and by politicians, creating “a social licence to hate Muslims.”
Malik said the dehumanisation of Palestinian-Australians and Arab-Australians, particularly on social media, “contributed significantly” to Islamophobia.
Your contribution ensures The Daily Aus can continue doing the work you love.
I want to give $10 monthly to help TDA keep doing the news.
Your details:
Malik’s report contains 54 recommendations, which he said are not intended to censor legitimate critiques of Islam, but rather to address “the serious issue of... racism and hate”.
Recommendations
Malik has called on the Government and the Prime Minister’s Office to treat Islamophobia with the same “urgency” as it does with other forms of discrimination.
The special envoy recommended that an inquiry into Islamophobia be set up to investigate its causes, impacts, and how its perpetuated (including the role of the media).
Malik also recommended an inquiry into anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian racism in Australia, and a review of counter-terrorism laws.
The report suggested training Australian Federal Police and teachers on responding to incidents of Islamophobia, as well as a review of Muslim history sections of the national curriculum.
Malik also called for the Government to renew efforts to legislate a religious discrimination act to protect Muslim Australians.
Both the Morrison and Albanese governments have unsuccessfully attempted to pass a bill with protections against religious discrimination.
Comments
Albanese said the Government would “carefully consider” Malik’s recommendations.
The Government is currently considering recommendations from the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, Jillian Segal.
Malik said the release of his report was “a moment where we decide who we are as a country, and whether we are prepared to… ensure that every person in Australia, regardless of faith, ethnicity or background, is safe, valued and treated with dignity.”
