Australia Appoints Aftab Malik as Islamophobia Envoy Amid Imminent Deadline

Aftab Malik has been appointed as the Australian government’s special envoy to combat Islamophobia, several months following the appointment of Jillian Segal as the country’s first anti-Semitism envoy. Mr. Malik’s tenure will commence on October 14, marking a significant step in addressing religious discrimination in the country.

The decision to appoint Mr. Malik comes after a promise made by the government in response to rising social tensions following the Hamas attack on October 7 and the subsequent Israeli military actions in Gaza. The delays in his appointment prompted warnings from the Australian National Imams Council, which had set a deadline for the end of September.

Mr. Malik, identified as a “Global Expert” on Muslim affairs by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations, migrated to Australia in 2012. Invited by the Lebanese Muslim Association, he initially worked as a scholar in residence, focusing on mentoring young Muslims in Sydney’s western suburbs. More recently, he has been involved in community engagement and countering violent extremism within the New South Wales Premier’s Department.

Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Minister Tony Burke emphasized the importance of this role in a statement, supporting the $90 million funding aimed at mitigating the impacts of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on Australian soil. “Bigotry is always wrong. You should be able to live safely and freely in Australia, regardless of who you are or what you believe,” Mr. Burke stated.

The government has assured that Mr. Malik’s appointment followed “extensive” consultation with community leaders. He is expected to liaise with the Muslim community, religious discrimination experts, and various government levels to develop effective strategies to combat Islamophobia.

In his statement, Mr. Malik stressed his commitment to working alongside Ms. Segal to foster peace and understanding among Australia’s diverse religious communities. “Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are not mutually exclusive: where there is one, you most likely will find the other lurking,” he remarked. “I don’t intend to use this role to advocate that one form of hatred is more important than another: both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are unacceptable.”

His appointment comes amidst calls for a non-bureaucratic, community-based approach to the role. Ali Kadri, CEO of the Islamic College of Brisbane and one of the candidates approached for the position, highlighted the need for the envoy to engage at the grassroots level to truly be effective.

The announcement of Aftab Malik as the Islamophobia special envoy reflects Australia’s ongoing commitment to promoting social cohesion and tackling discrimination in all forms, as the nation continues to strive for unity and harmony within its multicultural landscape.