“Dramatic Surge” in Islamophobia Across Australia Following Gaza War, Report Finds
Australia has witnessed a “dramatic surge” in Islamophobic incidents since the October 7, 2023, cross-border attacks by Hamas on Israel, which ignited the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
A new report, based on data from the Islamophobia Register Australia and collaborative research by Monash and Deakin Universities, highlights a steep increase in assaults, abuse, and threats targeting Muslim individuals, particularly women and girls, Anadolu Agency revealed.
According to SBS News, Nora Amath, Executive Director of the Islamophobia Register Australia, stated that women and girls account for approximately 75% of victims, with most perpetrators being non-Muslim men. The report, which analyzed over 600 in-person and online incidents between January 2023 and November 2024, found that abuse against Muslims in Australia more than doubled during this period, reaching “crisis levels.” Online Islamophobic incidents saw a 250% increase, while in-person attacks rose by 150%.
Amath emphasized that while geopolitical events act as catalysts, political rhetoric plays a significant role in the rise or fall of reported incidents. Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik, has also noted that Islamophobia has become “normalized” and is under-reported, describing incidents as “endemic” and occurring in everyday settings.
These alarming trends underscore the profound impact on Muslim communities, with many Muslim women who wear headscarves feeling that experiencing Islamophobia is an inherent part of their identity in Australia. The surge in anti-Muslim hate is part of a broader global pattern observed in other Western countries, and authorities are being urged to take comprehensive action to address this escalating issue.
