Aftab Malik, a British born migrant to Australia of Pakistani origins, has been named as the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia for a period of three years commencing on Monday 14 October 2024.
Mr Malik is a United Nations Alliance of Civilisations “Global Expert” on Muslim Affairs having served for nearly a decade in the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet and the Premier’s Department advising on community engagement, social cohesion and countering violent extremism.
The announcement of the appointment was made on Monday 30 September in Sydney at an event at Sheraton Grand hotel by Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Tony Burke and later confirmed by a press release co-signed by him and the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Ms Jillian Segal was appointed Special Envoy to Combat ant-Semitism earlier in July this year announced by the Prime Minister and the then Multiculturalism Minister during a press conference with her on the same day.
The Australian government promised to appoint special envoys to fight anti-Semitism and Islamophobia in the wake of potential social disharmony after the 7 October 2023 attack on Israel and subsequent ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza and killings in West Bank and now in Lebanon.
In his position as special envoy, the government says, Mr Malik will listen to and engage with members of the Muslim community, religious discrimination experts and directly with “all levels” of government on combating Islamophobia in Australia.
During an address while accepting the position, Mr Malik said that the appointment is a recognition that Islamophobia is real in Australia and indeed across the world and not just a challenge for Muslims, but for all Australians.
“This role emerges against the backdrop of rising levels of hate against Australian Muslims both online and offline. It has also seen a surge in anti-Palestinian racism, which is a form of Islamophobia,” he said.
Mr Malik further added, “while recent events occurring overseas and locally have accentuated fear and anxiety about Islam and Muslims, negative attitudes towards Muslims existed long before.”
As the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, Mr Malik intends to do the following:
- Engaging experts to utilise research and data to identify what drives Islamophobia.
- Speak to those who have experienced Islamophobia, and promote public awareness and understanding of the impacts of Islamophobia.
- Combat stereotypes and misinformation about Muslims and Islam.
- Provide advice to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs and Cyber Security, to inform policy development and legislation that combat Islamophobia.
The appointment, although announced much later than anticipated, has been welcomed by the Muslim community with endorsement by major community organisations through statements and media releases:
“The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) welcomes, and supports, the announcement of Aftab Malik’s appointment as the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia in Australia. This appointment comes at a critical time, with Islamophobia, anti-Muslim, and anti-Palestinian sentiment at unprecedented levels.”
“The Islamophobia Register Australia (‘The Register’) is pleased to welcome the announcement of Aftab Malik as the Islamophobia Envoy appointment. While we have been critical of the process leading up to this appointment, we hope that this significant step marks a crucial milestone in addressing the unprecedented increase of reported incidents of Islamophobia and promoting a more inclusive society.”
Islamic Sciences & Research Academy (ISRA), stated that, “We commend and fully support this important appointment, which is a recognition that Islamophobia is a social problem and marks a historic and crucial step towards addressing the growing concern of Islamophobia in Australia and fostering a more inclusive and respectful society for all.”
The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC), in a media release said, “We applaud the government’s decision to appoint Mr. Malik, whose expertise and dedication will be vital in advocating for and protecting the rights of Muslim Australians. His role is crucial, not only in combating Islamophobia but also in fostering a more inclusive and understanding society.”
Professor Sheikh Salim Alwan, Chairman Darulfatwa, Islamic High Council of Australia said, “I have no doubt that you will make a meaningful impact in combating prejudice and helping to build a society where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.”
The way the appointment of Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia has been announced quietly and much later than the Special Envoy to Combat anti-Semitism has come under criticism as reported by Crikey.
“The grandeur surrounding the government’s antisemitism envoy announcement — which came complete with a prime ministerial press conference — starkly contrasts with the mere issuing of a press release for the Islamophobia envoy,” Australia Palestine Advocacy Network president Nasser Mashni told Crikey.
“When the Australian government offers one community a spectacle of attention while relegating the other to a press release, it sends a clear message – the struggles of the Palestinian and Muslim community on this continent are deemed less worthy of recognition and respect,” he said.
Jewish Council of Australia executive officer Dr Max Kaiser, who has also been critical of the envoy concept itself, said the government’s handling of the announcement would put Malik in a difficult position.
“We wish the Islamophobia envoy well and look forward to working with him [but] although we recognise Islamophobia and anti-Semitism have increased in Australia over the past year, we don’t think these specialised envoys are the best way to deal with the problem,” he said.
Executive director of the Islamophobia Register Australia Dr Nora Amath, who was one of a few dozen advocates invited to Malik’s announcement, said some who attended the event noted how it was “very quiet”.
“We assumed the prime minister would have been there, but he wasn’t. We were expecting press to be there, but none were invited as far as I know,” she told Crikey.
The Government support to combat Islamophobia looks like Dead on Arrival. Hopefully it can be resurrected and given a better reception with the passage of time.
Where is he now?
The protests planned for 7 October will create absolutely massive Islamophobic sentiment.
He should be all over the media, speaking out as loudly as he can against those protests, to try to counteract that.
While the appointed anti-semitism envoy Jullian Segal, is known to be a committed pro-Israeli, the appointed anti-Islamophobia envoy Aftab Malik, Does the appointed anti-Islamophobia envoy Aftab Malik, have the same level of commitment to Palestine or Islamic causes, particularly in Palestine.
Sorry for the mistake in my previous comment. It should be:
While the appointed anti-semitism envoy, Jullian Segal, is known to be committed to Israel, does the appointed anti-Islamophobia envoy, Aftab Malik, have the same level of commitment to Palestine or Islamic causes, particularly in Palestine?
Sorry but the sycophancy of the govt towards the Israeli lobby reflected in choice of first envoy.
Just who eas consulted for this choice?