Australia’s Special Envoy for Combating Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, has warned that anti-Muslim incidents are “rising sharply” across the country since the beginning of Israel’s assault on Gaza in October 2023.
On Friday, Malik delivered his first report to the government, which included recommendations to review anti-terrorism laws and procedures in order to investigate potential discrimination. He also called for a wide-ranging inquiry into the roots of Islamophobia, including whether government policies themselves have fuelled anti-Muslim bias.
A Growing Crisis Ignored for Too Long
Speaking to journalists, Malik stressed:
“The reality is that Islamophobia in Australia is ongoing, sometimes ignored, sometimes denied, but never fully addressed.”
He added that Islamophobia intensified after the 9/11 attacks, became entrenched in public life, and has surged dramatically since 7 October 2023. According to his report:
- Personal Islamophobic incidents have risen by 150%.
- Online hate has soared by 250%.
The 60-page report outlined 54 recommendations, including a formal inquiry into religious discrimination and the social and democratic impact of Islamophobia.
Government Response: A Pledge and a Warning
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged that his center-left government would carefully consider Malik’s recommendations. He described attacks on Australians because of their religion as an assault on the nation’s values:
“Targeting Australians on the basis of faith is not just an attack on them, it is an attack on our fundamental values. We must eradicate the hatred, fear, and prejudice that fuel Islamophobia and division in our society.”
The government acknowledged that both Islamophobia and antisemitism have spiked sharply in Australia since the war on Gaza began.
In July 2024, Jillian Segal was appointed as Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism, while Malik took up his three-year appointment in October 2024.
Segal’s first report, submitted two months ago, controversially recommended cutting government funding to universities that failed to address alleged attacks on Jewish students and even suggested vetting potential migrants for their political affiliations.
Muslims in Australia
According to the 2021 Australian census, Muslims make up 3.2% of the population. Despite being a small minority, the community has borne the brunt of a growing climate of hostility—fueled by Islamophobic media narratives, discriminatory security policies, and now by the regional fallout of Israel’s war on Gaza.
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