The federal government is considering dozens of recommendations to combat rising levels of anti-Muslim hate in Australia.

Special envoy Aftab Malik today handed down his landmark report on how to address Islamophobia, which made 54 recommendations for multiple levels of government.

They range from establishing parliamentary inquiries into Islamophobia and anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian hate, to better data collection on hate crimes and addressing foreign actors stoking religious division in Australia.

“This is a historic opportunity,” Malik told reporters this afternoon. 

“It is a moment where we decide who we are as a country, and whether we are prepared to take the necessary steps to ensure that every person in Australia, regardless of faith, ethnicity or background, is safe, valued and treated with dignity.”

He said Islamophobia has skyrocketed since the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel, and was persistent and sometimes denied and ignored in Australia, but never fully addressed.

“In the past week alone, we have had a fake bomb left outside a Gold Coast mosque, and 1700 students from Queensland’s largest mosque evacuated due to a bomb threat,” Malik said. 

“Here in Sydney, the Islamophobia register recorded an alleged incident in which a 55-year-old Arab man was repeatedly punched in the face while he was waiting at a bus stop. 

“This was after an assailant, the assailant, allegedly targeted another Muslim passenger while saying Islamophobic slurs. 

“These are the consequences of leaving Islamophobia unaddressed.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government would consider Malik’s 54 recommendations, and would seek bipartisan support for any legislative measures to avoid a harmful and divisive public debate about them.

“Australians should be able to feel safe at home in any community,” he said. 

“The targeting of Australians based on their religious beliefs is not only an attack on them, but it’s an attack on our core values. 

“We must stamp out the hate, fear and prejudice that drives Islamophobia and division in our society.”

The foreword to Malik’s report was written by Test cricketer Usman Khawaja, the first Muslim to play for Australia.

He said anti-Islamic hate was commonplace, revealing his mother had been racially abused at last year’s Boxing Day Test.

“Two young men decided to walk behind my mum and scream obscenities in both ears, simply because she was wearing a hijab… she was terrified,” he said. 

“My mum was distraught; she didn’t know what to do and she was extremely frightened, shocked and upset by the incident.”

Malik wrote in his report that, while addressing Islamophobia was crucial, it was also important to allow legitimate criticism of the religion and its followers.

“I am cautious that Islamophobia should not become another meaningless plastic word, nor accusations of it be wielded as a weapon to silence or suppress respectful discussions and debate,” he said. 

“Upholding this distinction is essential to safeguarding democratic values, ensuring the freedom of expression, and preserving the integrity and effectiveness of efforts to combat genuine hate crimes, discrimination and vilification. 

“Freedom of speech is a cornerstone of our society, but it should not be abused.”