Today, Wednesday 18 June 2025, is the United Nations International Day for Countering Hate Speech. As the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, I support and encourage open, respectful dialogue and believe that criticism of ideas or beliefs is a fundamental right, as long as it does not promote hatred or violence. Everyone has a right to feel safe in Australia, free from hate wherever it occurs, including online.

There has been an alarming rise in online hate in the past few years. While social media platforms provide a wealth of information and resources to people around the globe, and allow people to connect and communicate wherever they are, they are also awash with material that incites hatred and violence against Muslims, dehumanises them, and views them as a predatory, cultural threat. 

I urge social media platforms to act upon the complaints that they receive and that the recommendations made in the Report of the Online Safety Act Review will be considered and actioned by the Government. Spreading hatred and the mistrust of Australian Muslims and of Islam encourages people to act on fear instead of fact, and legitimises prejudice and dehumanisation.

This week I joined and participated in the United Against Hate, Global Reporting Campaign Against Antisemitic and Anti-Muslim Hate Speech Online. This campaign, led by the Online Hate Prevention Institute and Online Hate Task Force, focuses on reporting content that incites hate and violence to the relevant social media platform for them to take action and to enforce rules against hate speech. You can see the results of this campaign at United Against Hate.

When people who witness hate, racism or prejudice speak out against it, this act makes the person being targeted feel supported. It can make the person being hateful reconsider their behaviour. Don’t put yourself at risk. But if it is safe to do so, speak up and stand with the victim. Even a simple gesture can be powerful. For further information including reporting Islamophobia, visit my website at Combatting Islamophobia.