The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) endorses the report of Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malek, and it’s recommendations. Islamophobia, as the report makes clear, is a pervasive and alarming reality that has devastating consequences for its victims. The effects of Islamophobia are neither abstract nor remote; they are felt daily by Australians who are Muslim, or who are merely perceived to be Muslim. ANIC notes that the report is based on extensive feedback by the envoy with the community and community organisations across the country.
The report comes at an important time, as the recent spike in Islamophobia linked to the war on Gaza, has intensified feelings of vulnerability and exclusion within the community. The envoy’s work is critical and provides an opportunity to respond constructively to respective departments of government. This ensures that the voices of Australian Muslims are heard and valued in the parts of government that matter most.
ANIC recognises that there is still much work to be done in Australia to further protect the Australian Muslim community, including the need for law reform to strengthen protections against religious discrimination. These are matters addressed by the report. The report also canvasses policy change, education, dialogue and other measures as the primary means of combatting Islamophobia.
Bilal Rauf, Senior Adviser, states “Islamophobia is a societal issue requiring a comprehensive and coordinated response. The recommendations in the report must be taken seriously, and confronting Islamophobia must be treated with the same urgency as other forms of racism and prejudice. There can be no further delay in implementing these recommendations, many of which will benefit not only Muslim Australians but Australians and faith communities more broadly.”
ANIC looks forward to working closely with the envoy and engaging with the Government to follow up on the progress of the Government’s review and implementation of the recommendations contained within the report.
