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Islamophobia Report Adds to Calls for Religious Freedom Laws

Incidents of Islamophobia have ’skyrocketed,' Aftab Malik said.
Islamophobia Report Adds to Calls for Religious Freedom Laws
A protestor holds a placard during a protest rally against anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian racism in particular, and against all forms of racism in western Sydney, Australia, on April 6, 2025. SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty Images
Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
9/13/2025|Updated: 9/13/2025
0:00

Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia has released his report containing 54 recommendations, including the introduction of federal religious freedom laws and updates to racial discrimination protections to include Muslims in the definition of race, as had been done with Jews and Sikhs.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Special Envoy Aftab Malik made note of the violence, discrimination, and prejudice the Muslim community faces as he outlined the report, which he called a “historic opportunity” for the nation to address Islamophobia.

Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
Author
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.
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