Islamophobia report calls for respect |
The strategy report, A National Response to Islamophobia, from Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia Aftab Malik, published on September 12, comes after he met more than 100 Muslim community members, experts on Islamophobia, youth, women and religious leaders.
It follows Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal’s July report, which was light on evidence of antisemitism but heavy on recommending state suppression of the Palestine solidarity movement and defence of the Israeli state.
See also
Critics of Antisemitism Summit ‘antisemitic’, says Israeli antisemitism chiefAnti-Zionist Jewish groups condemn Segal’s ‘authoritarian’ antisemitism planStanding against the tide: Jews Against the Occupation ’48 at the NSW antisemitism inquiryDavid Gonski and Jillian Segal head Israel lobby at Gold Coast summitSegal attacked supporters of Palestinian national rights and equated Zionism with Judaism. Overall, her recommendations would increase antisemitic hatred and prejudice against Jews.
Malik’s report pays serious attention to the evidence for Islamophobia. He sought feedback on recommendations from 30 national and international experts in Islamophobia, social cohesion, community activism, criminology, news media, psychology, hate crime, anti-racism, mental health and Islam–West relations.
A foreword by Muslim Australian Test cricketer Usman Khawaja relates examples of his family’s experiences of Islamophobia and ends up with a clarion call for change.
Islamophobia Register said in July that it had recorded a 530% increase in Islamophobic incidents over 21 months, since October 7, 2023. It said more than 1500 cases were reported, many of which were connected to expressing solidarity with Palestinian civilians.
Khawaja refers to a verbal assault on his mother........