Rise in Anti-Islamic Attacks in Australia
The Fifth Australia Islamophobia report, compiled by the Islamophobia Record Center in partnership with Deakin and Monash universities, has revealed a disturbing increase in physical attacks against Muslims. Between January 2023 and December 2024, a total of 309 physical attacks were documented, marking a 2.5-fold increase compared to the previous reporting period. In addition, the number of confirmed incidents of online hate content has doubled, reaching 366.
The report highlights that three-quarters of the victims of these attacks were women and girls, with women being 30 percent more likely to be physically assaulted than men. Nora Aath, the Executive Director of the Islamophobia Registration Center, stated that the attacks are gender-based, with most victims being Muslim women and the perpetrators being men, calling it a clear and concerning trend.
Many of the attacks occurred in public places, with some taking place in front of children, leading to lasting trauma. One harrowing incident detailed in the report involved a mother being physically assaulted in a shopping center while sitting with her five children. The attacker shouted Islamophobic slurs before striking the woman on the head, resulting in a broken nasal bone and subsequent psychological distress for the family.
Other incidents included threats of violence and desecration of mosques, further highlighting the prevalence of Islamophobia in Australia. The majority of attacks were concentrated in New South Wales, the province with the largest Muslim population in the country.
The report emphasizes that these attacks have a disproportionate impact on Muslim women, particularly in the workplace where they are three times more likely to experience Islamophobic incidents than men. This not only exacerbates existing challenges faced by Muslim women in employment but also contributes to a climate of fear and discrimination.
As awareness of Islamophobia continues to grow, it is imperative for authorities and communities to take action to combat hate crimes and protect the rights and safety of all individuals, regardless of their faith or background.
