Urgent Call to Combat Islamophobia: Report Urges Australia to Enact Anti-Discrimination Laws and Protect Muslims
September 12, 2025
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged the report's importance but did not specify how many of its recommendations the government will adopt, emphasizing bipartisan support for anti-discrimination legislation.
Prime Minister Albanese and Minister Anne Aly publicly support the report, highlighting the importance of addressing hate and prejudice against Muslims as a societal priority.
Community leaders, including Australian Imams, support swift government action on the report’s recommendations, citing rising Islamophobia and safety concerns.
Since Hamas’s October 2023 attacks, incidents of Islamophobic violence have increased, including assaults on Muslim women and fake bomb threats outside mosques, reflecting a surge in hate crimes.
Public attitudes remain negative, with over a third of Australians holding unfavorable views of Muslims, and Islamophobia incidents have surged by 530% since October 2023, according to the Islamophobia Register Australia.
Malik advocates for a federal inquiry into anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism, urging the government to oppose dehumanization and racism against these communities.
The report recommends implementing anti-racism frameworks, amending the racial discrimination act, and mandating training for MPs and government staff to combat Islamophobia.
It includes 54 recommendations, such as reviewing counter-terrorism laws for discriminatory impacts and establishing a commission of inquiry into Islamophobia.
The report urges a review of counter-terror laws and calls for religious sensitivity training for all federal police officers.
A comprehensive report released on September 12, 2025, by special envoy Aftab Malik calls for urgent action to combat Islamophobia in Australia, emphasizing policy reforms, better data collection, and legal protections.
The report advocates for federal legislation to outlaw religious discrimination, address hate speech, and implement measures to tackle religious intolerance.
Muslim community members and imams report heightened security concerns and fear, especially among women and children, due to rising Islamophobic attacks and vandalism.
Summary based on 2 sources
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Sources

The Guardian • Sep 12, 2025
Envoy decries ‘lack of action’ on persistent Islamophobia in Australia and calls for tracking of hate crimes
The Sydney Morning Herald • Sep 12, 2025
Landmark report calls for sanctions over anti-Muslim politicians