Recommendations to Prime Minister
On 12 September 2025 the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Mr Aftab Malik, published his report A National Response to Islamophobia: A Strategic Framework for Inclusion, Safety and Prosperity. The report details 54 recommendations that the Australian Government will be responsible for, and that the Special Envoy will support. It is envisaged that federal agencies and other authorities will work together and play a key role in actioning the recommendations.
The recommendations follow hundreds of hours of consultation and engagement with Muslim communities and leaders across Australia as well as national and international experts. It is grounded in extensive academic research on Islamophobia, and reflects a comprehensive process of listening, collaboration, and evidence-based analysis.
Read the report: A National Response to Islamophobia: A Strategic Framework for Inclusion, Safety and Prosperity (PDF 4MB).
Endorse the Special Envoy’s report
To endorse this report as an individual or as an organisation, please complete the online form.
Endorsements by organisations
Bilal Rauf, Senior Advisor, Australian National Imams Council (ANIC)
“The recommendations in the report must be taken seriously, and confronting Islamophobia must be treated with the same urgency as other forms of racism and prejudice… ANIC therefore urges the government to act swiftly and decisively to implement the recommendations in full, without hesitation or delay.”
Read Bilal Rauf's full endorsement
Abdullah Khan OAM FACEL, President, Islamic Schools Association of Australia (ISAA)
“… a landmark initiative that reflects a deep and inclusive consultation process with diverse Muslim communities across Australia, [offering] a comprehensive framework to address the structural, systemic, and interpersonal dimensions of Islamophobia.”
Read Abdullah Khan's full endorsement
Dr Rateb Jneid, President, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC)
“AFIC applauds the comprehensive nature of the Special Envoy’s report on combating Islamophobia, which not only reflects the key concerns of Muslims from across Australia, but provides practical and robust steps to address them. We urge the government to endorse all his recommendations, demonstrating to Muslims that it is committed to protecting the safety and upholding the dignity of Muslim Australians.”
Abir Roz, President, Muslim Women’s Support Centre of WA (MWSC)
“We endorse the report of the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. It is comprehensive and thoughtfully prepared. The recommendations that address structural Islamophobia across multiple levels are particularly significant, as this has not been adequately addressed in the past. The report is both robust and highly relevant to Muslim communities.”
Professor Mehmet Ozalp, Executive Director, Islamic Sciences and Research Academy (ISRA)
“The Islamophobia Report stands as the voice of over one million Australian Muslims who have endured its harmful effects for more than two decades. Its recommendations are comprehensive, balanced, and directly address the core issues. We urge the federal and state governments, along with all social institutions, to confront Islamophobia with the same determination applied to other forms of racism and discrimination.”
Khalid Mousa, General Manager, Alliance of Australian Muslims (AAM)
“This report offers a clear and actionable roadmap for addressing Islamophobia at its roots. Grounded in evidence and inclusive consultations, it amplifies the lived experiences of Muslim Australians and highlights the systemic, structural, and interpersonal dimensions of Islamophobia with balance and compassion. The Alliance of Australian Muslims fully endorses the report and urges the government to act with urgency and commitment…This is a pivotal opportunity for the government to demonstrate leadership, transparency, and a genuine commitment to equity, justice, and systemic reform — sending a powerful message that the experiences of Muslim Australians are being heard and taken seriously.”
Read Khalid Mousa's full endorsement
Dr Ali Alsamail, Director, Shia Muslim Council of Australia (SMCA)
“This report addresses the main drivers of Islamophobia and presents a clear way forward. It reflects a wide consultation process. We hope for the urgent implementation of these recommendations.”
Zameer, Executive Member, Coalition of Muslim Student Associations Australia (CoMSAA)
“We believe this document presents a watershed moment for our nation, providing a clear, actionable, and necessary framework to address an issue that has deeply affected our community for far too long.”
Read Zameer's full endorsement
Dr Nora Amath, Executive Director, Islamophobia Register Australia
“… a much-needed step towards addressing the pressing issue of Islamophobia in Australia. We commend its well-considered, practical, and actionable recommendations that, if implemented, will help protect the rights and dignity of Muslim Australians.”
Read Dr Nora Amath's full endorsement
Sheikh Muhammad Nawas, Secretary, Board of Imams Victoria (BOIV)
“The Board of Imams Victoria endorses the report and its recommendations, which align closely with the perspectives of many Victorians with whom we have directly engaged while implementing our Countering Islamophobia Project…We urge that clear timelines and accountable leadership be established to ensure the effective implementation of all recommendations.”
Read Sheikh Muhammad Nawas' full endorsement
Ustadha Saara Sabbagh, Founder and CEO, Benevolence Australia
“Benevolence Australia fully endorses this report and all its recommendations, which reflect the voices of diverse community stakeholders across Australia. It presents government with a clear, and crucial opportunity to address Islamophobia seriously in all its forms.”
Hafez Alameddine, President, Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA)
“The Lebanese Muslim Association welcomes this report … We acknowledge the wide-range of voices and experiences that have informed its findings, reflecting the concerns and aspirations of Muslim communities across Australia… These steps, alongside the report’s other recommendations, will send a powerful signal that Australia is committed to protecting its Muslim citizens, strengthening social cohesion, and ensuring that discrimination has no place in our society.”
Read Hafez Alameddine's full endorsement
Dr Mohamed Mohideen OAM,JP, President, Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV)
“The Islamic Council of Victoria … endorse[s] the proposal and the recommendations… We acknowledge the extensive consultation of the community that has been carried out and reflected in these recommendations and endorse steps to materialise these recommendations in full.”
Read Dr Mohamed Mohideen's full endorsement
Zia Ahmad, Editor in Chief, Australasian Muslim Times (AMUST)
“The Australasian Muslim Times supports and endorses the recommendations of the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, and look forward to the government’s acceptance and mapping out measurable milestones to achieve them urgently in the near future.”
Read Zia Ahmad's full endorsement
Aimen Jafri MAICD, Chair, Tasmanian Islamic Foundation
“This is not a document of blame or punishment, but a thoughtful, collaborative roadmap for building a better, more inclusive society … [it presents] a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach that is not only visionary but deeply rooted in compassion and wisdom.”
Read Aimen Jafri's full endorsement
Ahmed Zreika, President, Islamic Society of South Australia (ISSA)
“… a historic opportunity to signal to Muslim Australians that their concerns are being taken seriously at a systemic and structural level.”
Read Ahmed Zreika's full endorsement
Mohammed Raziuddin, President, United Muslims of Northern Territory Incorporated (UMNT Inc)
“United Muslims Northern Territory recognises the importance of the report’s recommendations and respectfully urges the government to address Islamophobia with the same seriousness as other forms of racism, and to take timely steps towards their implementation.”
Ali Roude OAM, Vice Chairperson, Islamic Council of NSW (ICNSW)
“This report presents a historic opportunity for the government to unequivocally demonstrate that it takes Islamophobia seriously. It centers the experience of Muslims across our great nation and provides clear recommendations to build a culture of tolerance, safety, and dignity. As such, we endorse the 54 recommendations of the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, and look forward to the government’s acceptance and mapping out measurable milestones to achieve them.”
Imam Waseem Razvi, Chair, Alliance Against Islamophobia (AAI)
“This report is a landmark step forward. It recognises the lived realities of Muslim Australians and reflects the voices of diverse communities across the country. It offers a robust and practical framework for dismantling structural, systemic, and interpersonal Islamophobia in Australia.”
Read Imam Waseem Razvi's full endorsement
Yusuf Mansuri, CEO, ACT Muslims Australia (ACTMA)
“We urge the government to give these recommendations careful consideration and to prioritise their implementation as part of a broader commitment to equity, justice, and systemic reform.”
Read Yusuf Mansuri's full endorsement
Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman, President, Action Against Islamophobia (AAI)
“This report offers hope… If implemented, they can help build an Australia in which Muslims — and indeed all communities — feel safe, respected, and valued. This will in turn help towards achieving a fairer and more inclusive Australia which cares.”
Read Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman's full endorsement
Kazi Sabbir, President, Tasmanian Muslim Association (TMA)
“We endorse the Special Envoy’s report, and anticipate the government’s endorsement of all 54 recommendations.”
Endorsements by individuals
Waleed Aly, Victoria
"Aftab Malik has done an enormous amount of consultation to produce this report. It is a sincere, good faith contribution focused on the common good - invaluable in such a polarised moment. This work should inspire a constructive public conversation."
Captain Mona Shindy RAN, CSC Retd, New South Wales
“I acknowledge the extensive Muslim community consultation, evidence-based academic research drawn upon and the professional efforts of the envoy in compiling the report… As a proud and committed Australian Muslim, I dearly hope the government is able to act decisively and quickly on all the report recommendations to address current structural, systemic and social challenges holding our great nation back. I want a better tomorrow for everyone.”
Read Captain Mona Shindy's full endorsement
Samier Dandan, New South Wales
“This body of work represents one of the most comprehensive and far-reaching frameworks ever developed to address the challenges of Islamophobia in Australia. It is informed by rigorous evidence, deep consultation with Muslim communities across the nation, and the expertise of leading academics, practitioners and specialists… These measures are not punitive but constructive: they promote education, dialogue, fairness and equal opportunity. They are designed to strengthen not only the wellbeing of Muslim communities, but the resilience of the Australian social fabric as a whole.”
Read Samier Dandan's full endorsement
Professor Dr Muhammad Aziz Rahman, Professor of Public Health, Victoria
“I support and endorse the recommendations made by Mr. Aftab Malik, Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. The report has rightly highlighted that prejudice and ant-Muslim racism cannot be handled by the Muslim communities alone; it should be integrated into the wider efforts to promote equity and justice, supported by the government and civil society.
Discrimination for any traits, not only for religion, is not acceptable in this multicultural, harmonious society of Australia. It’s important to focus on individual and institutional issues of Islamophobia and discrimination by analysing and updating the current policies, and more importantly, by ensuring an effective implementation plan.
I wish all the best to Mr. Malik and the Envoy team for their commitment to addressing this by engaging with different organisations, individuals, including community leaders. I hope that the recommendations will be implemented to make this country more liveable without hatred towards any groups of our population.”
Ali Kadri, Queensland
“These recommendations and the Introduction, make it clear that Islamophobia is a whole-of-society challenge that requires a whole-of-government response. This report delivers by grounding the recommendations in evidence, and reflecting the experiences of Muslims across Australia. What this Report does, is provide the government with a blueprint to take bold and practical action to ensure Muslims that their safety is taken seriously, and instil dignity for all.”
Arif Haque, Australian Capital Territory
“… an extraordinary document of both substance and courage which bears the unmistakable mark of painstaking research, deep reflection, and moral clarity…Your recommendations addressing systemic barriers, from access to services to fair representation, display an acute awareness of the day-to-day realities that often go unseen in national debates, yet weigh heavily on communities… It is both an act of truth-telling and a blueprint for national progress.”
Read Arif Haque's full endorsement
Dr Jamal Rifi AM, New South Wales
“This report represents a precise articulation of the breadth of the challenges posed by Islamophobia. I stand by the recommendations made by the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, and look forward to their endorsement by the Australian Government and their implementation.”
Read Dr Jamal Rifi's full endorsement
Dr Samir Mahmoud, New South Wales
“I am pleased to endorse the report titled “A National Response to Islamophobia: A Strategic Framework for Inclusion, Safety and Prosperity,” authored by the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Aftab Malik.
This report offers an exemplary piece of work that provides an insightful analysis of the pervasive and devastating impact of Islamophobia in Australia at the institutional, structural, and systemic levels.
It furnishes a multidisciplinary, whole-of-society set of recommendations that uphold democratic values, safeguard free speech, combat hate, and foster a more understanding, just, and compassionate Australia for all citizens.
I have no doubt this report will serve as an essential resource on Islamophobia in Australia.
I highly recommend it.”
Read endorsements in full
Bilal Rauf, Senior Advisor, Australian National Imams Council (ANIC)
The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) endorses the report dated September 2025 issued by the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, together with the recommendations contained within it. Islamophobia, or anti-Muslim sentiment, as the report makes clear, is a pervasive and alarming reality that has devastating consequences for its victims. It is multidimensional in nature, encompassing not only discursive and interpersonal hate but also institutional and structural forms of discrimination.
The effects of Islamophobia are neither abstract nor remote; they are felt daily by Australians who are Muslim, or who are merely perceived to be Muslim. At the most immediate level, Islamophobia corrodes personal safety and mental wellbeing. Yet its impact extends far beyond individual suffering. Islamophobia undermines the social fabric, weakening the cohesion upon which diverse societies depend. When Muslims are persistently told to “go back to your country,” despite generations of contribution to Australia, the message is clear: you do not belong. Such exclusion strips a whole section of Australians of the dignity of equal citizenship. In turn, communities retreat inward, creating a cycle of suspicion and distance that benefits no one. Consequently, Australian society itself is weakened and divided. The strands woven together throughout our history to form the fabric of our national identity are torn and damaged.
This is precisely why Islamophobia must be recognised as a societal issue requiring a comprehensive and coordinated response. The recommendations in the report must be taken seriously, and confronting Islamophobia must be treated with the same urgency as other forms of racism and prejudice. Notably, among the recommendations is a call for the Federal Government to implement religious discrimination protections at the national level. This is a matter that ANIC has long pursued — in collaboration with other faith communities — but regrettably, without success. There can be no further delay in implementing these recommendations, many of which will benefit not only Muslim Australians but Australians and faith communities more broadly. ANIC therefore urges the Government to act swiftly and decisively to implement the recommendations in full, without hesitation or delay.
Abdullah Khan OAM FACEL, President, Islamic Schools Association of Australia (ISAA)
On behalf of the Islamic Schools Association of Australia (ISAA), I am honoured to formally endorse the 54 recommendations presented by the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. This report is a landmark initiative that reflects a deep and inclusive consultation process with diverse Muslim communities across Australia, and it offers a comprehensive framework to address the structural, systemic, and interpersonal dimensions of Islamophobia.
ISAA particularly supports the following recommendations:
- The development of a Whole-School Anti-Racism and Inclusivity Framework, led by the Department of Education in collaboration with ACARA and other key stakeholders, to address Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, and anti-Arab racism in educational settings.
- A review of the national curriculum to ensure accurate representation and inclusion of Muslim contributions to Australia, Western civilisation, and universal values.
- The establishment of commissions of inquiry into Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, and anti-Arab racism.
- The implementation of mandatory training and codes of conduct for Parliamentarians and their staff to define and prevent Islamophobic behaviour.
- Amendments to the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 to introduce a positive duty to eliminate racial discrimination and to clarify the inclusion of Muslims within the ethno-religious category of race.
These recommendations are not only timely but essential. They represent a genuine opportunity for the Australian Government to demonstrate its commitment to equity, justice, and the wellbeing of Muslim Australians. We urge the Government to endorse this report and to establish measurable milestones for its full implementation.
ISAA stands firmly with these recommendations and looks forward to supporting their realisation in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.
Khalid Mousa, General Manager, Alliance of Australian Muslims (AAM)
This report offers a clear and actionable roadmap for addressing Islamophobia at its roots. Grounded in evidence and inclusive consultations, it amplifies the lived experiences of Muslim Australians and highlights the systemic, structural, and interpersonal dimensions of Islamophobia with balance and compassion.
The Alliance of Australian Muslims fully endorses the report and urges the government to act with urgency and commitment. A clear implementation plan, with measurable milestones and timelines, will be critical to ensuring meaningful progress and accountability.
This is a pivotal opportunity for the government to demonstrate leadership, transparency, and a genuine commitment to equity, justice, and systemic reform — sending a powerful message that the experiences of Muslim Australians are being heard and taken seriously.
Zameer, Executive Member, Coalition of Muslim Student Associations Australia (CoMSAA)
On behalf of the Coalition of Muslim Student Associations Australia (CoMSAA), I wish to convey our full and unequivocal endorsement of the report and its 54 recommendations. We believe this document presents a watershed moment for our nation, providing a clear, actionable, and necessary framework to address an issue that has deeply affected our community for far too long.
We commend the rigorous and inclusive process you undertook. The report’s profound strength lies in its foundation, having authentically captured the diversity of community stakeholders consulted. It gives voice to the multifaceted experiences within the Australian Muslim community, ensuring the recommendations are not only thoughtful but truly representative.
CoMSAA recognises this report as a genuine and critical opportunity for the Government to signal to Muslim Australians that it is taking Islamophobia seriously, in all its structural, systemic, and interpersonal dimensions. The implementation of these recommendations would mark a decisive step towards building a safer, more inclusive, and equitable Australia for all its citizens. We sincerely hope the honourable Prime Minister responds to the concern of Millions of Australians who marched for Palestine in absolute cohesion across 40 cities of Australia creating history on 24th August 2025.
While we endorse the report in its entirety, we wish to highlight several recommendations we are particularly keen to see enacted with urgency and accountable leadership:
- The establishment of a commission of inquiry into Islamophobia.This is fundamental to formally acknowledging the scale and impact of the issue, a necessary precursor to meaningful change.
- Amending the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 to include a positive duty to eliminate racial discrimination and clarifying that the ethno-religious category within the definition of race includes Muslims.This provides a stronger legal foundation for protection and moves us from a reactive to a proactive stance against discrimination.
- The development of an overarching Anti-Racism and Inclusivity Framework for the education sector.Addressing ignorance and bias through education is one of the most powerful long-term tools for combating prejudice and fostering social cohesion.
- Establishing a funding program aimed at enhancing the safety and security of Muslim institutions.The security of our community spaces is paramount, and this measure would provide tangible reassurance to our communities.
- Mandating the development and delivery of a nationwide Islamophobia Awareness and Cultural Competency Program for all university staff.This is a critical step in deconstructing systemic bias within our vital educational institutions and ensuring a safe environment for Muslim students and academics.
- Establishing a targeted mechanism to identify and restrict foreign-produced films that contain Islamophobic content or incitement to religious hatred.This directly addresses the alarming normalisation of anti-Muslim rhetoric through media and is crucial for preventing the import of international conflicts into Australian society.
CoMSAA stands firmly with these recommendations. We endorse them without reservation and anticipate the government’s full acceptance of the report. We look forward to partnering in mapping out measurable milestones to achieve their swift and complete implementation.
Thank you once again for your pivotal leadership in this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can be of any further assistance.
With highest esteem and respect,
Zameer
Dr Nora Amath, Executive Director, Islamophobia Register Australia
The Islamophobia Register Australia welcomes this report, which represents a much-needed step towards addressing the pressing issue of Islamophobia in Australia. We commend its well-considered, practical, and actionable recommendations that, if implemented, will help protect the rights and dignity of Australian Muslims.
In particular, we draw attention to recommendation 9, which calls for strengthening the capacity of existing community-led monitoring and reporting initiatives. These initiatives play a vital role in documenting Islamophobic crimes and providing crucial support to those affected. We also emphasise the importance of recommendations 4 and 19 which pertain to the review of both existing and new anti-terrorism laws for their impact on the Muslim community, and recommendation 6, which proposes a commission of enquiry into anti Palestinian and anti-Arab racism.
We therefore urge the government to adopt these recommendations.
Sheikh Muhammad Nawas, Secretary, Board of Imams Victoria (BOIV)
"The Board of Imams Victoria endorses the report and its recommendations, which align closely with the perspectives of many Victorians with whom we have directly engaged while implementing our Countering Islamophobia Project.
We especially support the recommendation for the Australian Government to formally recognise the International Day to Combat Islamophobia on 15 March. This will align the national position with, not only the United Nations General Assembly, but also the Victorian Government's recognition of the date in 2024. This annual date will anchor the extensive education and engagement work that many of the other recommendations require.
We commend the recommendations for addressing systemic issues such as:
- the potential discriminatory application and effect of counter-terrorism laws, policies and practices.
- the importance of holding perpetrators of anti-Muslim hate accountable, even if they are Parliamentarians inciting or normalising hate.
We urge that clear timelines and accountable leadership be established to ensure the effective implementation of all recommendations.
We appreciate having had an opportunity to contribute to this important work from the earliest consultations undertaken, and we recognise the diversity of community voices reflected in these recommendations. The Board of Imams Victoria urges the Government to act urgently to materialise these recommendations in full."
Hafez Alameddine, President, Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA)
The Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA) welcomes this Report and expresses its support for the 54 recommendations it contains. We acknowledge the wide range of voices and experiences that have informed its findings, reflecting the concerns and aspirations of Muslim communities across Australia.
This Report provides a genuine opportunity for the Australian Government to demonstrate that it takes Islamophobia seriously—acknowledging its structural, systemic, and interpersonal dimensions—and to respond with meaningful action.
We especially support the recommendations to:
Establish a commission of inquiry into Islamophobia,
Amend the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 to introduce a positive duty to eliminate racial discrimination, and
Develop a Whole-School Anti-Racism and Inclusivity Framework that addresses Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, and anti-Arab racism.
These steps, alongside the Report’s other recommendations, will send a powerful signal that Australia is committed to protecting its Muslim citizens, strengthening social cohesion, and ensuring that discrimination has no place in our society.
We stand with these recommendations and look forward to their endorsement and timely implementation by the government.
Dr Mohamed Mohideen OAM,JP, President, Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV)
The Islamic Council of Victoria having reviewed the proposed recommendations with the Islamophobia Envoy Mr Aftab Malik are happy to endorse the proposal and the recommendations. We believe the recommendations especially the 22 key ones are significant to tackle Anti-Muslim Racism (Islamophobia) and address many of issues of racism that the Muslim community are facing.
We hope that the government would endorses the 54 recommendations put forward, and map out measurable milestones and timelines to achieve them. We also hope that the government would provide the necessary funding and support systems to implement the recommendations.
We acknowledge the extensive consultation of the community that has been carried out and reflected in these recommendations and endorse steps to materialise these recommendations in full.
Zia Ahmad, Editor in Chief, Australasian Muslim Times (AMUST)
The Australasian Muslim Times (AMUST) supports and endorses the recommendations of the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, and look forward to the government’s acceptance and mapping out measurable milestones to achieve them urgently in the near future.
We specifically support the recommendation Strengthen Australia’s online safety laws to more effectively challenge online hate by actioning the relevant recommendations made in the independent review of the Online Safety Act.
We also wish the recommendations to include strengthening of guidelines for mass media for responsible reporting and legislation against media vilification of Islam and hate mongering of Muslims.
Aimen Jafri MAICD, Chair, Tasmanian Islamic Foundation
Dear Mr. Malik,
I’m not sure my words can truly do justice to what I’ve just read, but I have to say, this is one of the most beautiful and impactful reports I’ve come across in my career.
As Muslims, we are taught from a young age that the path to growth lies in learning, reflection, and striving to become the best versions of ourselves. Through your recommendations, you have embodied these very principles. What moved me most was the tone of this report This is not a document of blame or punishment, but a thoughtful, collaborative roadmap for building a better, more inclusive society.
Your work clearly reflects the dedication of the past eight months and the incredible depth of consultation, including engagement with international scholars and academics. You’ve created a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach that is not only visionary but deeply rooted in compassion and wisdom. These recommendations have the power to help the Australian Government, and the broader community understand the true essence of Islam.
I feel deeply grateful to be working in this space at this moment in time. It’s a privilege to witness and be part of such transformative work, from the initiatives led by the Race and Sex Discrimination Commissioners, to the Multicultural Framework Review, and now this extraordinary contribution you’ve made in bringing it all together.
As Chair of the Tasmanian Islamic Foundation, I wholeheartedly endorse these recommendations.
Ahmed Zreika, President, Islamic Society of South Australia (ISSA)
The Islamic Society of South Australia (ISSA) welcomes the report of the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Mr. Aftab Malik, and, in principle, supports its recommendations as an important first step for the Muslim community to formally engage with government on these issues.
We acknowledge the broad community consultation reflected in the report and see this as a historic opportunity to signal to Muslim Australians that their concerns are being taken seriously at a systemic and structural level.
At the same time, ISSA stresses the importance of establishing a clear and precise definition of Islamophobia. Without an agreed global standard, we believe it is essential to articulate an Australian-specific definition that reflects the lived experiences of Australian Muslims and ensures consistency in future policy, law, and education.
ISSA particularly highlights two recommendations that we urge the government to prioritise:
- Education Reform: Review the national curriculum in both primary and secondary education to ensure content is accurate and inclusive, acknowledging Muslim contributions to Australia, Western civilisation, and the development of universal values.
- Integrated Strategy: Implement an integrated strategy to combat Islamophobia through research, media, and community education, addressing not only prejudice and misinformation but also fostering understanding and social cohesion.
ISSA looks forward to the government’s response and hopes to see clear commitments, timelines, and accountability measures in place to ensure that Islamophobia is addressed with seriousness and urgency in Australia
Imam Waseem Razvi, Chair, Alliance Against Islamophobia (AAI)
The Alliance Against Islamophobia (AAI) proudly and unequivocally endorses the Special Envoy’s report and its 54 recommendations to the Prime Minister on combating Islamophobia.
This report is a landmark step forward. It recognises the lived realities of Muslim Australians and reflects the voices of diverse communities across the country. It offers a robust and practical framework for dismantling structural, systemic, and interpersonal Islamophobia in Australia.
AAI strongly supports key recommendations, including:
- The establishment of a national commission of inquiry into Islamophobia
- The implementation of mandatory Islamophobia training for parliamentarians and advisors
- The introduction of federal religious discrimination protections
These measures are critical to ensuring safety, equity, and dignity for Muslim communities across the nation.
We also underscore the urgency of Recommendation 12: Addressing the role of foreign actors and domestic affiliations in spreading Islamophobic content as part of broader foreign influence operations.
This includes the rise of Hindutva-inspired extremist networks, now the largest global source of anti-Muslim hate speech.
These networks — and their affiliates operating within Australia — actively promote divisive narratives that inflame sectarianism, threaten our social cohesion, and undermine the very foundations of Australian multiculturalism. The government must act decisively to investigate and prevent the influence of such ideologies from gaining ground in Australia.
This report provides the government with a clear path forward. What is needed now is action — backed by clear timelines, resourcing, and political will.
AAI looks forward to working closely with the Australian Government and the Special Envoy to support the implementation of these recommendations and help realise real, lasting change for Muslim Australians.
This is a pivotal moment. Muslim Australians deserve safety, dignity, and belonging — not just in principle, but in practice. AAI stands in full solidarity with all communities affected by Islamophobia and reaffirms our commitment to justice, equity, and true multiculturalism.
Yusuf Mansuri, CEO, ACT Muslims Australia (ACTMA)
ACTMA fully endorses the 54 recommendations presented and express our strong hope that the government will not only accept them but also take prompt action to translate them into concrete outcomes. We look forward to the development of a clear implementation plan, including the identification of measurable milestones and timelines, to ensure meaningful progress and accountability in achieving these objectives.
The report acknowledges the diverse array of community stakeholders engaged during the consultation process and affirms that the perspectives and voices represented herein reflect a broad spectrum of social, cultural, and experiential backgrounds. This inclusivity enhances the report’s credibility and underscores its commitment to equitable and representative research practices.
We commend the Australian government for its engagement with this work and encourage continued leadership that centres accountability, transparency, and the voices of marginalised communities.
The report presents a genuine opportunity for the government to demonstrate its commitment to addressing Islamophobia in all its forms: structural, systemic, and interpersonal, while sending a clear and meaningful signal to Muslim Australians that their experiences are being recognised and taken seriously.
We are particularly invested in a number of the report’s key recommendations, which we believe hold significant potential for driving meaningful and lasting change. Drawing on our experience and expertise in this area, we identify the following recommendations as critical to the success of any meaningful and sustainable reform:
- Recommendation #5: Establish a commission of inquiry into Islamophobia ...
- Recommendation #11: Address the role of foreign actors and domestic affiliations in spreading Islamophobic content as part of broader foreign influence operations.
- Recommendation #16: In line with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD Committee) … definition of race in the Race Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) includes Muslims, the same way it includes Jews and Sikhs.
- Recommendation #19: Establish an advisory panel consisting of representatives from diverse Muslim communities to provide insights into the potential impacts and unintended consequences of new counter-terrorism legislation on Muslim communities.
- Recommendation #25: Launch campaigns aimed at raising awareness about Islamophobia, its legal implications and the importance of reporting hate crimes and discrimination.
- Recommendation #28: The Department of Education, in collaboration with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), should lead the development of an overarching Anti-Racism and Inclusivity Framework for the education sector (to include First Nations racism, Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, anti-Arab racism, anti-Asian racism, etc.), …
- Recommendation #50: Establish an educational not-for-profit centre that affirms the presence, contributions and achievements of Muslim Australians and that promotes initiatives in arts, culture and media ...
- Recommendation #53: Implement an integrated strategy to combat Islamophobia through research, media and community education …
We urge the government to give these recommendations careful consideration and to prioritise their implementation as part of a broader commitment to equity, justice, and systemic reform.
Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman, President, Action Against Islamophobia (AAI)
Action Against Islamophobia (AAI), a grassroots and community-led initiative to address Islamophobic incidents, endorses the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia’s report, A National Response to Islamophobia. As the report highlights, Islamophobia has devastating consequences for its victims. Tragically, it remains part of everyday life for Muslim communities in Australia — online and in person, across social media, within institutions, and in public spaces. At its most horrifying, we witnessed the murder of 51 people and the injuring of 89 others — men, women and children — who had their backs turned in prayer when an Australian charged into two mosques in Christchurch on 15 March 2019 and opened fire. In daily life, victims continue to describe the constant fear of abuse, the humiliation of public harassment, and the anxiety of being targeted simply because of their appearance, name, or faith. Muslim women, in particular, bear a disproportionate burden. Yet much of this remains unacknowledged, let alone addressed.
This report offers hope. Its recommendations present a practical and evidence-based framework to confront Islamophobia — not only as a challenge for Muslims, but as a national issue of social cohesion, justice, and equality. If implemented, they can help build an Australia in which Muslims — and indeed all communities — feel safe, respected, and valued. This will in turn help towards achieving a fairer and more inclusive Australia which cares.
Captain Mona Shindy RAN, CSC Retd, New South Wales
I endorse the recommendations made by the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia and look forward to the Government’s acceptance and implementation of them.
I acknowledge the extensive Muslim community consultation, evidence based academic research drawn upon and the professional efforts of the envoy in compiling the report. Against the backdrop of an environment where Islamophobia significantly impacts on Australian Muslims' quality of life, participation and advancement opportunities as well as their mental and physical health; the report highlights tangible and achievable courses of action that can make a real difference. Islamophobia is an incredibly harmful and corrosive phenomenon that erodes social cohesion and diminishes our potential as a nation in all areas of endeavour.
Through the structured and effectively resourced implementation of the recommendations and the ongoing measurement and tracking of their outcomes, Australia has a real opportunity to eradicate this horrible problem of Islamophobia. As a proud and committed Australian Muslim, I dearly hope the Government is able to act decisively and quickly on all the report recommendations to address current structural, systemic and social challenges holding our great nation back.
I want a better tomorrow for everyone.
Samier Dandan, New South Wales
I strongly endorse the recommendations set out in A National Response to Islamophobia prepared by the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia. This body of work represents one of the most comprehensive and far-reaching frameworks ever developed to address the challenges of Islamophobia in Australia. It is informed by rigorous evidence, deep consultation with Muslim communities across the nation, and the expertise of leading academics, practitioners and specialists.
The breadth of this work demonstrates that Islamophobia is not a problem for Muslims alone, but a direct threat to Australia’s social cohesion, democracy and shared values of fairness, respect and inclusion. Its recommendations span across government, education, health, law, sport, foreign affairs, and community engagement, making clear that combating Islamophobia requires a coordinated, whole-of-society approach.
The report documents the lived realities of Muslim Australians who endure discrimination, hostility and violence — particularly women and children — and sets out practical, evidence-based measures to ensure their safety, dignity and belonging.
These measures are not punitive but constructive: they promote education, dialogue, fairness and equal opportunity. They are designed to strengthen not only the wellbeing of Muslim communities, but the resilience of the Australian social fabric as a whole.
Adopting these recommendations would send a powerful message that Australia stands against hate in all its forms, and that no community should live in fear because of who they are, how they pray, or how they look. It would affirm our shared commitment to an inclusive, safe and prosperous future for all Australians.
For these reasons, I urge the Australian Government to implement the recommendations of this report in full. Doing so is not only vital for ensuring the safety and dignity of Muslim Australians, but also essential for safeguarding the cohesion, strength and moral integrity of our nation.
Arif Haque, Australian Capital Territory
It is with profound admiration I write to acknowledge and endorse the Report into Islamophobia you have so diligently authored. What you have accomplished is an extraordinary document of both substance and courage which bears the unmistakable mark of painstaking research, deep reflection, and moral clarity.
In a landscape where reports are often the product of well-funded offices, research teams, and political machinery, your work stands apart. Without the large apparatus and extensive staff others had at their disposal, you have shouldered this task almost single-handedly. Yet, rather than being diminished by these constraints and criticisms, your report shines all the brighter as a testament to intellectual rigour, personal sacrifice, and moral courage. It demonstrates not only the depth of your knowledge but also the strength of your conviction that truth must be spoken, even when the odds are stacked against you.
The 54 recommendations you set forth represent a vision of national renewal. They are not simply a Muslim community’s plea for fairness; they are an invitation for Australia to rise to its highest ideals. By positioning Islamophobia as a societal issue, one that implicates us all, not just Muslims, you remind us that injustice corrodes the bonds of citizenship for everyone.
Your emphasis on developing respectful engagement between communities, particularly the three Abrahamic faiths, is a significant step towards bridging divides that have too often been manipulated for political or social gain. In doing so, your work helps remind us our shared heritage, values, and aspirations are far greater than what separates us in an era of rising polarisation.
Equally significant is your insistence for enshrining protection within the legal system. In doing so, you are not merely protecting Muslims against vilification and discrimination; you are helping fortify the principle that all Australians, regardless of background, deserve safety, dignity, and equal standing before the law. Your recommendations addressing systemic barriers, from access to services to fair representation, display an acute awareness of the day-to-day realities that often go unseen in national debates, yet weigh heavily on communities.
One of the most important contributions of your report is the clarity with which you stress it is vital Islamophobia is addressed with integrity, neither diluted into a meaningless label nor misused as a tool, to suppress legitimate discussion. By making this distinction, you have gone to the very heart of the challenge to ensure freedom of speech remains protected, while genuine hate, discrimination, and vilification are confronted with the seriousness they deserve.
This report will be remembered for its courage. It is both an act of truth-telling and a blueprint for national progress. If Australia takes seriously the direction you have set, our country will move closer to fulfilling its promise of being a society that is truly inclusive, fair, and at peace with itself.
For your perseverance, your clarity of vision, and your refusal to accept less than justice, you deserve not only the gratitude of the Muslim community but the respect of every Australian who values equality, integrity, and human dignity.
While I serve as Vice Chair of the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum, I write this endorsement in my personal capacity as a community member, offering it as a reflection of my own conviction and deep respect for your work.
Dr Jamal Rifi AM, New South Wales
This report represents a precise articulation of the breadth of the challenges posed by Islamophobia. I stand by the recommendations made by the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, and look forward to their endorsement by the Australian Government and their implementation.