A landmark report by Australia's first Islamophobia envoy calls for significant reforms to combat religious discrimination and review counter-terrorism laws. Aftab Malik, appointed to the role last year, presented 54 recommendations aimed at addressing persistent Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism in Australia.

Malik emphasized the need for change, stating, "The reality is that Islamophobia in Australia has been persistent, at times ignored and at other times denied, but never fully addressed." He added that the recommendations are designed to foster a fair and inclusive environment that actively combats prejudice while respecting fundamental freedoms.

Despite these calls for reform, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reiterated his position on religious discrimination legislation, which has failed to advance in previous parliaments. He stated, "I certainly support religious discrimination legislation, but I don't support starting a debate that leads to rancour." Albanese indicated that his government would consider Malik's recommendations but noted they were made independently.

The report highlights the ongoing prevalence of Islamophobic attitudes and incidents targeting Australian Muslims, tracing back to the September 11 attacks in 2001. A study from the following decade revealed that half of Australians identified as "anti-Muslim," a sentiment that persists today. A recent survey by the Scanlon Institute found that over one-third of Australians hold negative views towards Muslims.

Malik pointed out that Muslim women wearing hijabs often face severe abuse, including physical attacks. He cited recent bomb threats at a mosque and an Islamic school, noting that many Islamophobic incidents go unreported, with harassment and death threats being common.

The proposed national inquiry into Islamophobia would investigate the factors contributing to hate, including government policies and media portrayal. Additionally, a separate inquiry would focus on anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Malik expressed concern about the dehumanization of Palestinian-Australians but cautioned against conflating this issue with Islamophobia.

Malik also recommended an independent review of counter-terrorism laws and their impact on Muslim communities. He suggested clarifying racial discrimination laws to explicitly include Hindu, Buddhist, and Muslim communities, similar to protections already in place for Jewish and Sikh communities.

Other recommendations include increased security for Islamic facilities, funding for community projects to promote social cohesion, and better representation of Islamic history in school curricula. Malik highlighted the historical interactions between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Muslims, noting the contributions of Macassan traders and cameleers.

The report's foreword was written by cricketer Usman Khawaja, who welcomed the recommendations as a means to foster understanding rather than punitive measures. He shared personal experiences of Islamophobia, including an incident where his mother faced verbal abuse at a cricket match.

Community leaders endorsed the report, with Bilal Rauf from the Australian National Imams Council urging that the recommendations be taken seriously. Dr. Nora Amath of the Islamophobia Register Australia described the report as a crucial step toward addressing Islamophobia in Australia, calling the recommendations practical and actionable.

While Albanese did not provide a timeline for responding to the recommendations, he expressed a commitment to nurturing social cohesion in Australia, stating, "At a time when there's conflict in the world, I really see that Australia can be a microcosm of what we want the world to be, a place where people live side-by-side in harmony."