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Australia sees rising Islamophobia amid Gaza conflict, calls for urgent action
Australia has acknowledged a significant rise in Islamophobia since the onset of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denounced the increasing attacks on Australians based on their religious beliefs, asserting that such acts undermine the country’s core principles.
Speaking on the issue, Albanese stressed, "Australians should feel safe at home in any community," reflecting concerns over the growing normalization of discriminatory practices. His comments followed the release of a report highlighting the prevalence of Islamophobia in Australia, which had already been on the rise prior to the Gaza conflict.
The report underscores Islamophobia as not merely a "Muslim issue" but a broader societal challenge, threatening social cohesion. It calls for a comprehensive, society-wide strategy to tackle this form of discrimination. Recommendations include bolstering education, promoting awareness, and fostering social interactions to bridge divides between communities.
The report also urged authorities to treat Islamophobia with the same urgency and legal protections as other forms of discrimination. “Confront Islamophobia with equivalent urgency to other discriminatory practices, and provide it with the same rights, protections, and legal recourse,” the report emphasized.
Aftab Malik, Australia’s special envoy to combat Islamophobia, lamented the persistence of this issue, noting that it has often been ignored or denied. He pointed to public abuse, graffiti, and the targeting of Muslim women and children based solely on their identity and attire as evidence of the problem’s scope.
The report’s findings and Albanese’s remarks underline the urgent need for collective action to address Islamophobia and uphold Australia’s commitment to equality, safety, and diversity.
