Melbourne : Australia’s envoy on Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, has handed down a landmark report warning of a sharp rise in anti-Muslim discrimination and calling for urgent government action.
The report, released after months of consultation with community leaders, civil society groups and legal experts, makes 54 recommendations aimed at tackling prejudice and protecting Muslim Australians.
Among its proposals are amendments to strengthen the Racial Discrimination Act, the establishment of a permanent oversight body to monitor Islamophobia, and new measures to counter hate crimes both online and offline. The envoy also called for improved education campaigns to challenge stereotypes and for law enforcement agencies to receive better training on how to respond to religiously motivated abuse.
Mr Malik said Islamophobia in Australia was “real and increasing,” warning that failure to respond would leave Muslim Australians feeling further marginalised and vulnerable. “The government must take this seriously,” he said, “because Islamophobia is not just a problem for Muslims — it undermines the social fabric of the whole nation.”
The report highlights cases where Muslim Australians have faced verbal harassment, workplace discrimination and attacks on mosques. It notes that global conflicts and domestic political debates have intensified anti-Muslim rhetoric, making community members feel unsafe in public spaces.
Muslim advocacy groups welcomed the report, saying it was the first time the issue had been examined in such detail by a government-appointed envoy. They urged the Albanese government to adopt the recommendations swiftly.
The federal government has said it will “carefully consider” the proposals. Opposition leaders, while acknowledging the need to protect minority communities, warned against measures that could restrict free speech.
The report places Australia alongside other Western countries that have undertaken official inquiries into Islamophobia in recent years, reflecting growing international concern over discrimination against Muslim populations.
