Sydney: The Australian government's special envoy to combat Islamophobia has issued a report highlighting the widespread nature of Islamophobia in the country and its impact on social cohesion. Aftab Malik, the envoy, released the National Response to Islamophobia report, which includes 54 recommendations aimed at combating this pressing issue.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the report indicates that Islamophobia in Australia has escalated to unprecedented levels following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7, 2023. There has been a 150 percent increase in in-person Islamophobic incidents since the conflict began. Malik, speaking at a press conference, emphasized that Islamophobia has been a persistent issue in Australia, often ignored or denied but never fully addressed.

The report's recommendations focus on accountability and responsibility, protection and support, and education and awareness across major federal government agencies. It also urges the government to initiate two separate inquiries into the prevalence of Islamophobia as well as anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism in the country.

The report highlights the severe consequences of Islamophobia, stating that it is a pervasive and sometimes terrifying reality that undermines social cohesion. The normalization of such prejudice is so extensive that many incidents go unreported.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded to the report by affirming that the government would carefully consider all recommendations and continue its collaboration with Malik. He stressed the importance of eliminating the hate, fear, and prejudice that fuel Islamophobia and societal division.