Statement on the UN International Day to Combat Islamophobia

The International Day to Combat Islamophobia commemorates the 2019 Christchurch terrorist attack on 15 March, where 51 Muslim worshippers were murdered during Friday prayers in two mosques by an Islamophobic Australian terrorist.

The perpetrator was radicalised by white supremacist beliefs and meticulously planned the attack for two years. While we honour the victims of this heinous attack, this day serves as an urgent reminder to act on the signs of hatred before they escalate into irreparable violence.

In Australia, Islamophobia has escalated to crisis levels. Following the December 2025 Bondi attacks, reports of Islamophobic incidents surged by 740% across the country. The aftermath of Bondi highlighted how quickly fear can turn into suspicion of entire communities. Mosques received threatening letters and were vandalised, and Muslim women wearing the hijab faced abuse and assault. Individuals were called ‘terrorists’ in public spaces or told they did not belong.

For many Muslim Australians, daily activities like praying, travelling, or simply walking now raise the question of safety.

This is unacceptable by any standard.

When Muslim worshippers are violently pushed and thrown to the ground by law enforcement, and when politicians claim that ‘there’s no such thing as a good Muslim’, it dehumanises, normalises bigotry, legitimises hostility, and alienates Muslim Australians from the Australian national fabric.

Each incident may seem unrelated, but together they signal to Muslim Australians that they’re not fully part of the country they call home. And more troubling, it signals to the broader Australian community that Islamophobia is an acceptable form of hatred.

Islamophobia in Australia is significantly underreported. During my national listening tour in 2024, many Muslims told me why they don’t report incidents. Some feared their complaints wouldn’t be taken seriously, others feared consequences for employment or their visa status, and many felt their experiences would be dismissed. For most, discrimination is an accepted reality.

As my recommendations to the government clearly articulate, combating Islamophobia requires systemic reform, not just statements after the damage is done. To address these issues, we must strengthen institutional accountability, enhance victim protections, promote education that combats prejudice, and implement policies that actively support Muslim communities.

I will address the United Nations high-level commemorative event in New York as part of a panel to discuss national strategies to address Islamophobia. I will be presenting my National Strategy to Combat Islamophobia to a global audience. In acknowledgement that Islamophobia is not an isolated issue, but a global challenge, the UN discussion will bring together international envoys, human rights experts, and UN officials working to confront anti-Muslim hatred through coordinated international cooperation.

History shows that governments eliminate anti-religious hatred by acting proactively and vigilantly, but they often regret waiting until the consequences are undeniable. This day aims to ensure that tragedies like the Christchurch terrorist attack are remembered not only in mourning but in our actions to prevent future ones.

Aftab Malik
Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia