Last Friday, Aftab Malik, Australia’s first Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, delivered a wide-ranging report. This report provides an in-depth look at the growing problem of Islamophobia nationwide. It’s an important first step that the federal government commissioned this report. It paints a picture of national strategies—including 54 recommendations to address the persistent distrust and discrimination facing Muslim communities across the country.
Since October 2023, Islamophobic incidents have increased by 1000%. Malik noted that almost one third of Australians have developed Islamophobic attitudes. This trend has a particularly detrimental effect on Muslim women and girls. They make up three-quarters of reported victims of Islamophobia, as well as nearly three-fifths of all reported physical assaults. What is remarkable, though, is that they were the intended targets in 100 percent of spitting incidents reported.
The photographic evidence is clear, with a shocking 530 percent increase in documented occurrences. This increase comes in the aftermath of the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. These startling numbers should raise major red flags. Our communities have already witnessed a 150 percent increase in verified in-person incidents by November 2024, according to the Islamophobia Register, as well as a staggering 250 percent increase in online incidents during the same period. Even with these alarming numbers, Malik stressed to us that Islamophobia is still incredibly under-reported.
Malik commended Aftab for the strong emotional effect of the report. He continued to explain that it provides a platform for Muslims across Australia who have experienced discrimination, racism and hate speech for too long. He called on the government to lay out specific guidelines when parliamentarians engage in hate speech or make inappropriate remarks. This must extend to the ability to temporarily suspend them from their party offices.
Of these recommendations, one of the most notable is the report’s call to give Islamophobia the same legal protections as other discriminatory acts. It also calls the need for a full review of counter-terrorism laws. Second, it advises the Ontario government to establish a public commission of inquiry into anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism.
In reaction to these results, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was quick to restate the Australian government’s promise to tackle hate crimes. We have significantly strengthened Commonwealth hate crimes. Today, they mainly criminalize threats of violence, force, or property damage against individuals or groups due to their race, religion, or national origin. That applies across the board,” he stated.
In his response, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles acknowledged that Malik’s report was historic. He underscored the need for a nuanced and respectful response to its recommendations. This report is no small potatoes. Now, let me be absolutely clear on this point – Parliament should not be a place for anti-Black comments.
Malik’s report comes at a pivotal moment amid that debate. This discussion has further cemented the framing of the Palestinian cause as a religious issue, detracting attention from its humanitarian nature. Khaled Alamedine, a fiery defender of Palestinian rights, dropped the mic with this one. He insisted that “Palestine is not the cause of one religion, it is a national and humanitarian issue that encompasses all aspects of the Palestinian people.” He cautioned the audience against forcing a single religious story onto such a complicated and multifaceted question.
As communities continue to deal with the growing antagonism and distrust, Malik further emphasized the need to confront Islamophobia with a greater sense of urgency. He underscored that it’s not enough to just publish reports. Only by making substantial moves will we see enhancement of connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across Australia.
