Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese together with Dr Anne Aly, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, joined Special Envoy Aftab Malik in Sydney on Friday 12 September 2025 for the launch of the landmark report “A National Response to Islamophobia: A strategic Framework for Inclusion, Safety and Prosperity”.

The report opens with a foreword by Australian cricket star Usman Khawaja, who shared deeply personal reflections on prejudice recalling how his mother, a hijab-wearing woman, was abused at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Khawaja wrote:

“Two young men decided to walk behind my mum and scream obscenities in both ears, simply because she was wearing a hijab… She was terrified. That’s not the Australia I know and love.”

His words sets the tone for Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, to call for urgent action to combat Islamophobia at every level of society with 54 recommendations for the government to consider and take action.

Albanese said the report underscored Australia’s commitment to fairness and respect. He emphasised that the nation is “enriched by the diversity of people from different faith, different backgrounds, different heritage” and pledged that his government would continue to work tirelessly to uphold equality for all Australians.

Malik described the report as a “historic opportunity” to confront Islamophobia in Australia, saying that while Muslim communities have long highlighted discrimination, it has too often been ignored or denied but never addressed.

He highlighted how global events such as 9/11, the Cronulla riots, and the Christchurch terror attacks entrenched prejudice, while recent events had caused Islamophobic incidents to spike by more than 500%.

Malik warned that Islamophobia is not only personal but also “institutional and structural,” impacting education, employment, policing, and daily life of not only Muslims, but all Australians.

The envoy’s 54 recommendations cover accountability for hate speech, victim support, education and awareness, and building social cohesion, saying that the proposals are practical, evidence-based, and designed to “engender a fair, respectful, and inclusive environment".

Dr Aly praised Malik’s work for “giving voice to Muslims across Australia who have long endured discrimination, racism and outright hatred".

She said the Albanese Government’s creation of a standalone Multicultural Affairs portfolio demonstrated its commitment to social cohesion.

Top 5 recommendations from the Islamophobia report

1. Accountability for hate speech – Ensure individuals and institutions are held responsible for discriminatory actions and policies.
2. Victim protection and support – Establish accessible services so victims of Islamophobia feel safe, supported, and valued.
3. Education and awareness – Integrate training, media, arts, and curriculum initiatives to challenge stereotypes and promote respectful dialogue.
4. Strengthening social cohesion – Build trust across communities through intercultural exchange, collaboration, and shared projects.
5. National anti-racism alignment – Embed Islamophobia protections within the broader Australian Human Rights Commission framework to ensure consistency across government agencies.

Questions from the audience

The Q&A session became a key feature of the launch, with Albanese and Malik pressed on how the government would act.

One journalist asked why successive governments had failed to pass religious discrimination laws. Albanese replied that while he supported legislation, bipartisan backing was essential: “I don’t support starting a debate that leads to rancour.”

Another question asked was why the government had acted more quickly on antisemitism than on Islamophobia. Albanese responded that his government had strengthened hate crime laws and invested millions in mosque security, grassroots projects, and Islamic schools.

An audience member challenged Albanese on whether his own rhetoric — such as comments about not importing “conflicts from overseas” — undermined social cohesion. Albanese defended his language, insisting: “We are the best country in the world… people don’t want conflict brought here.”

Tokenism or turning point?

AMUST editor-in-chief Zia Ahmad asked a pointed question, reflecting a perception within the Muslim community that the envoy’s role might be symbolic rather than substantive.

He asked:

“Prime Minister, there is a perception in the Muslim community that after the appointment of the antisemitism envoy the appointment of the Islamophobia envoy is a mere act of tokenism. Now that you have got a robust report from Aftab, and you said it is his report, how does the government intend to make it their report followed by action?”

Albanese rejected the notion of tokenism, stressing the envoy’s independence:

“Well, it’s exactly the same as the envoy’s report we received on antisemitism. That was her report. This is Aftab’s report. That’s important. It’s important that it not be just an arm of government.”

He went further to praise Malik’s work as “outstanding” and said it would be studied not only by government but also by the public:

“This is publicly being released today… it’s very readable, based on facts, and extensively referenced. I think it is a major contribution towards social inclusion.”

Questions were also directed at Malik. Asked about anti-Palestinian racism, he explained that while it is distinct from Islamophobia, it has “driven much of the recent spike” and “seeks to erase and undermine Palestinians’ connection to their culture and history".

Another journalist pressed him on what surprised him most in his consultations. Malik replied that what struck him was “how your subconscious absorbs all the pain”, calling parliamentary dismissal of Islamophobia as fictitious “a grave disservice to social cohesion”.

Finally, when asked whether all recommendations needed to be adopted, Malik was emphatic: “52 or 53 is not what I’m looking for — 54 is the magic number.”

Post-event SBS interview

In an interview with SBS after the press conference, Malik expanded on his findings. He confirmed a 530% increase in Islamophobia incidents since October 2023, calling it “staggering” and warning that Muslims are “not asking for special treatment but equal recognition of harm".

He explained that anti-Palestinian racism, while distinct, has been a key driver of recent Islamophobia. “It seeks to erase and undermine Palestinians’ connection to their culture and history,” Malik said, adding that the two phenomena often intersect.

Asked why his report did not include punitive measures like those proposed by the antisemitism envoy, Malik said community feedback shaped the approach. “My main influence came from the Muslim community… what they wanted was recognition, not retribution.”

He also underlined that responsibility rests with government, not exhausted community volunteers: “Only the government can really tackle the institutional and systemic forms of Islamophobia.”

In his closing remarks, Malik expressed hope that this moment would be remembered as a genuine turning point. He urged the government to act with “empathy, courage, and resolve” so that Muslim Australians could live with dignity, safety, and respect.

Community endorsements

The report’s authority is further reinforced by endorsements from major Muslim peak bodies.

The Australian National Imams Council urged the government to act “swiftly and decisively… without hesitation or delay.”

The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils applauded its “comprehensive” nature and called for full implementation.

The Islamophobia Register Australia described it as a “much-needed step” to protect the rights and dignity of Muslims.

The Islamic Council of Victoria endorsed the report, stressing the need for clear timelines and accountable leadership.

Download the full report ‘ A National Response to Islamophobia: A Strategic Framework for Inclusion, Safety, and Prosperity.’

Republished from AMUST, 13 September 2025

The views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Pearls and Irritations.