Islamophobia in Australia Forces Muslim Women to Change Public Behavior

Islamophobia in Australia Forces Muslim Women to Change Public Behavior
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A new report reveals that Muslim women in Australia are being forced to change their behavior in public due to a sharp increase in racist and Islamophobic attacks. According to the Islamophobia Register Australia (IRA), Muslim women and girls are disproportionately targeted, accounting for 75% of all reported incidents since the register’s launch in 2014.

The article, as reported by The Guardian, shares personal accounts of hypervigilance on public transport and in everyday situations. There has been a significant surge in Islamophobic attacks since October 7, 2023, with the IRA documenting a 530% increase in reported incidents since that date.

The special envoy to combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, stated that Muslim women, in particular, face “the rap” of these incidents, which often involve having their hijabs pulled off or being spat on. Dr. Nora Amath, the IRA’s executive director, uses the term “gendered Islamophobia” to describe how attacks against Muslim women are not only about their religion but also include elements of control and degradation. Despite the rise in incidents, under-reporting remains a major issue due to a deep mistrust of authorities.