A One Nation senator has been accused of fanning anti-Muslim hate and associating with neo-Nazis after grilling Australia’s envoy to combat Islamophobia about sharia law.
Malcolm Roberts, a Queensland-based representative of the right-wing party, questioned Aftab Malik during Senate estimates on Tuesday about why his report outlining a national response to Islamophobia did not mention sharia law.
“Sharia law, should it be allowed into Australia, would replace Australian law, Australian courts, police and governments,” Roberts said.
In an insightful discussion on the challenges of Islamophobia, Greens senator David Shoebridge posed a crucial question to Aftab Malik, Australia’s special envoy tasked with addressing this pressing issue. Shoebridge pressed Malik on the matter of sharia law, asking how one could effectively discuss opposition to Islam without confronting this often-misunderstood concept directly.
Malik said the question was a good example of why his role was established by the federal government: to help people understand misconceptions around Islam and sharia law, which were fuelling anti-Muslim discrimination, marginalisation and exclusion.
Malik, whose role was specifically created to dispel misconceptions about Islam, acknowledged this point with agreement. He confirmed that false and politicized narratives, such as the unfounded claim that sharia law is on the verge of being imposed in Australia, significantly contribute to the rise of Islamophobia across the nation.
In this context, Malik’s mission becomes ever more critical. His efforts aim to foster a deeper understanding of Islam, challenging the stereotypes and misinformation that fuel fear and division. Such dialogues are vital for building a more informed and cohesive society, where misconceptions are replaced by clarity and mutual respect.
“You are absolutely correct,” Malik said.
“Part of the problem is that with freedom of expression or freedom of speech, one must also exert responsibility. And I think this is what is lacking from political discourse: responsibility.
“One can be critical of any religion, one can be critical of a Muslim country. But once it errs upon sweeping generalisation, stereotyping or demonisation or specifically targeting Muslims personally … [it] normalises prejudice.
Last week, Pauline Hanson wore a burqa into parliament for the second time in her career. Source: AAP
“When people see or hear a political leader speak in a certain way, it confirms those prejudices and it emboldens discrimination.”
Roberts also accused Malik of trying to cast concerns about Islamic terrorism as Islamophobia by not making reference to ISIS (the self-proclaimed Islamic State group) or al-Qaeda in his report.
Labor senator Murray Watt slammed Roberts, accusing him of consorting with neo-Nazis.
“I don’t really know what point you’re making, but I have to answer questions from you and your colleagues on a regular basis in the Senate chamber which I would describe as Islamophobic,” he said.
“So I would encourage you to think very carefully about the sorts of questions and sorts of statements that you and your colleagues make in the public domain, at a time when we are seeing social cohesion under threat, and at a time when we are seeing the rise of neo-Nazis and other extremists with whom you sometimes associate.”
Roberts protested that he did not associate with neo-Nazis.
“My comments are pro-Australia,” he said.
“My party’s name is One Nation because we believe in unity.”
Last week, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson was widely condemned and ejected from the Senate after walking into the chamber in a burqa, after seeking to bring forward a motion to ban the Islamic head covering in public places.
Hanson is not a practising Muslim.
Australia’s race discrimination commissioner, Giridharam Sivaraman, told Senate estimates on Monday that Hanson’s actions would deepen negative attitudes and the risk of violence towards Muslim women.
