Landmark Australian Report Proposes 54 Measures to Combat Islamophobia

Landmark Australian Report Proposes 54 Measures to Combat Islamophobia
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Australia’s first Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia has submitted a landmark report to the federal government, outlining 54 recommendations to address rising anti-Muslim hate. The report, described by Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism as a historic document, records the experiences of Muslims in Australia within a national framework.

According to data from the country’s Islamophobia Register, reported incidents of anti-Muslim abuse and hate speech surged by 530% in recent months, particularly following the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023. In response, the government created the envoy position in early 2024, alongside a similar post for antisemitism, to tackle growing trends of religious and racial hostility.

Key proposals in the report include formal recognition of March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, adopting a “zero tolerance for racism” policy in parliament, and launching parliamentary inquiries into Islamophobia and racism targeting Palestinians and Arabs. The report also calls for incorporating Muslim contributions into school curricula, funding protection for mosques and Islamic institutions, and strengthening online safety laws to counter digital hate speech.

Observers expect the recommendations to spark debate in political and media circles, particularly around digital regulation and parliamentary training programs. The report stresses that meaningful progress depends on political will and community leadership, warning that failure to act would be a setback for Australia’s more than one million Muslims.