A special envoy appointed to tackle rising Islamophobia in the Australian community has vowed to tackle hate as the war in the Middle East continues.
Muslim affairs expert Aftab Malik was announced as special envoy to combat Islamophobia in Australia by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday evening.
Earlier in July, the government appointed respected business leader and lawyer Jillian Segal as Australia’s first special envoy to combat anti-Semitism.
The appointment of an envoy on Islamophobia was due to be announced at the same time as the envoy on anti-Semitism, but Mr Albanese said at the time that finding a suitable candidate had “proved more challenging”.
This led to some members of the Muslim community feeling that they were not being treated equally by the government.
Recognized as a global expert on Muslim affairs by the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, Mr Malik spent almost a decade in the NSW Premier’s Department, combating hate and extremism.
He will listen to and work with the Muslim community, religious discrimination experts and government on the best ways to tackle prejudice.
Muslim affairs expert Aftab Malik announced as Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia in Australia
Tensions have risen in Australia following a protracted conflict in the Middle East following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7.
The fighting has spread beyond Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories to Yemen and Lebanon, raising fears that conflict could engulf the entire region.
Mr Malik said promoting social cohesion and ‘fighting hate’ in Australia were more important today than ever before.
“I do not intend to use this role to argue that one form of hatred is more important than another: both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are unacceptable,” he said.
“Each of us can play a role in ensuring that violence and hatred have no place in our communities.
“We can do this by valuing and strengthening the bonds between us, challenging discrimination and being allies to those who experience it.”
Australia Palestine Advocacy Network chairman Nasser Mashni said both special envoy roles risked fueling community tensions “by suggesting that the experiences of some racial groups are more important than others”.
“Anti-Palestinian racism is not about religion, but about colonialism and the systemic oppression of Palestinians as an indigenous people whose land has been stolen and illegally occupied,” he said.
Mr Malik said he looks forward to working with his colleague Ms Segal to “strengthen” social cohesion and bring communities together “rooted in dignity for all”.
The Hamas attack killed more than 1,200 Israelis and took hundreds hostage.
Nearly 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel declared war on Hamas, authorities there say.
Home Secretary Tony Burke said bigotry was always wrong and had no place in Australia.
“You should be able to live safely and freely in Australia, no matter who you are or what you believe,” he said.
Mr Malik will begin his three-year term in mid-October and will report to the Prime Minister and Mr Burke.
The government has spent $90 million on the impact of the conflict on Australian communities.