This September 2025 report by Aftab Malik, Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, provides a strategic framework for addressing anti-Muslim hate and discrimination in Australia. Featuring a foreword by cricketer Usman Khawaja, the document argues that Islamophobia is a pervasive and urgent issue with devastating consequences for Muslim Australians, eroding social cohesion. It notes that hate incidents have reached unprecedented levels since October 2023, disproportionately targeting visibly Muslim individuals, particularly women who wear a hijab.
The report puts forward 54 detailed recommendations for government action, advocating for a “whole-of-society” approach. Key proposals are directed at various government departments and include:
- Establishing a commission of inquiry into Islamophobia, as well as anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism.
- Strengthening hate crime laws and improving data collection.
- Funding security upgrades for Muslim institutions like mosques and schools.
- Reforming the national school curriculum to ensure accurate and inclusive content about Islam and Muslims.
Ultimately, the framework seeks to create a safer and more inclusive Australia by confronting Islamophobia with the same urgency as other forms of discrimination.
