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Wednesday, Jan 28, 2026
Outside the box.
Islamophobia and Antisemitism: Rising Concerns in Australia
Incidents of Islamophobia and antisemitism increase following global tensions, raising alarms in Australian society.
Islamophobia has reportedly become normalised across Australia, with incidents of humiliation, violence, hatred, and discrimination on the rise, as stated by Aftab Malik, the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia.
His role was established in October last year, coinciding with a marked increase in reported incidents, highlighted by more than 600% rise since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel.
The Islamophobia Register Australia, created in 2014 to document such incidents, reported 932 cases since the attack, a figure surpassing the total for the previous eight years combined.
Malik stresses that many incidents go unreported, contributing to their normalisation in everyday settings such as shopping malls, beaches, and public transportation.
The rise in antisemitic attacks in Australia has also been noted, with synagogues attacked and cars set ablaze.
These acts have been condemned by both the government and the opposition.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a National Cabinet meeting to address the issue.
The discussion also touches on antisemitism and Islamophobia's broader societal impact, emphasizing that both forms of hate are unacceptable.
Malik’s role follows that of Jillian Segal, the Antisemitism Envoy appointed by the government in July 2024. Segal has proposed restrictions on pro-Palestinian protests to avoid intimidation against Jewish communities, a stance met with criticism from Palestinian advocates.
Malik iterates that combating Islamophobia requires significant society-wide effort and underlines the importance of the right to peaceful protest, stating it is crucial to maintain social cohesion and combatate fear and exclusion.
In parallel, the debate over Australia Day's date has resurfaced.
While polling suggests an increase in support for keeping January 26, the national day, there continues to be significant opposition, particularly among younger Australians and Indigenous communities.
The discussion highlights the evolving societal values as younger demographics show more support for changing the date, reflecting broader cultural shifts.
These issues underscore the complexities within Australian society as it grapples with historical narratives and a diverse cultural fabric.
His role was established in October last year, coinciding with a marked increase in reported incidents, highlighted by more than 600% rise since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel.
The Islamophobia Register Australia, created in 2014 to document such incidents, reported 932 cases since the attack, a figure surpassing the total for the previous eight years combined.
Malik stresses that many incidents go unreported, contributing to their normalisation in everyday settings such as shopping malls, beaches, and public transportation.
The rise in antisemitic attacks in Australia has also been noted, with synagogues attacked and cars set ablaze.
These acts have been condemned by both the government and the opposition.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a National Cabinet meeting to address the issue.
The discussion also touches on antisemitism and Islamophobia's broader societal impact, emphasizing that both forms of hate are unacceptable.
Malik’s role follows that of Jillian Segal, the Antisemitism Envoy appointed by the government in July 2024. Segal has proposed restrictions on pro-Palestinian protests to avoid intimidation against Jewish communities, a stance met with criticism from Palestinian advocates.
Malik iterates that combating Islamophobia requires significant society-wide effort and underlines the importance of the right to peaceful protest, stating it is crucial to maintain social cohesion and combatate fear and exclusion.
In parallel, the debate over Australia Day's date has resurfaced.
While polling suggests an increase in support for keeping January 26, the national day, there continues to be significant opposition, particularly among younger Australians and Indigenous communities.
The discussion highlights the evolving societal values as younger demographics show more support for changing the date, reflecting broader cultural shifts.
These issues underscore the complexities within Australian society as it grapples with historical narratives and a diverse cultural fabric.
