Labor has introduced Aftab Malik as its particular envoy to fight Islamophobia, after a search that stretched on for months. Right here’s what we find out about him and the function up to now.
Who’s Aftab Malik?
Malik, a British-born scholar, was described in a authorities press launch as a “international skilled on Muslim affairs”, recognised by the UN Alliance of Civilisations. He has spent almost a decade working within the NSW Premier’s Division, “selling social cohesion and countering hate and extremism,” the discharge stated.
In line with Capital Transient, which broke the story of the appointment hours earlier than it was confirmed by the federal government, Malik arrived from the UK a few decade in the past, and has labored as a scholar in residence with the Lebanese Muslim Affiliation in Sydney’s Lakemba suburb.
“His work is extremely crucial of anti-Muslim bigotry, together with Islamism and violence carried out within the title of faith. Malik has edited a number of anthologies on the intersection between politics and theology, and was additionally a visitor lecturer in regulation on the College of Sydney,” the story famous.
What’s going to the function entail?
In line with the federal government, Malik will “hearken to and interact with members of the Muslim neighborhood, spiritual discrimination specialists and all ranges of presidency on the simplest methods to fight Islamophobia”.
He’ll report back to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Tony Burke, and his three-year time period will formally start on October 14.
It isn’t instantly clear what his phrases of reference are or what powers or tasks Malik can have within the function.
“Selling social cohesion and preventing in opposition to hate in Australia is extra necessary at the moment than it’s ever been,” Malik stated in a press release equipped by the prime minister’s workplace.
“I sit up for working with Muslim leaders and the broader neighborhood to advertise peace, understanding and inclusivity.”
What are advocates saying?
Nora Amath, govt director of the Islamophobia Register Australia, stated the appointment was “lengthy overdue” and stated Malik would have a “huge” accountability forward of him.
“One of many issues that we’d love him to do is simply actually exit and hear,” Amath advised Crikey. “I believe to have somebody of that calibre to hearken to the neighborhood, hear from specialists, hear from victim-survivors, hear to each one that couldn’t get a job due to the sound of their title — for me that will be a marker of success.”
Australia Palestine Advocacy Community president Nasser Mashni was crucial of the function itself and stated in a press release each the Islamophobia envoy and the antisemitism envoy — an appointment introduced earlier within the yr — risked “inflaming neighborhood tensions by suggesting that the experiences of some racialised teams are extra important than others”.
“The federal government should decide to a world free from racism, oppression and discrimination for all, not particular remedy for a choose few, in line with its personal political agenda,” Mashni stated.
“This work begins by really listening to marginalised voices, even when it’s uncomfortable for the federal government. It’s important to acknowledge that completely different communities share related struggles, lots of them rooted in colonialism, and to create insurance policies that promote equality and justice for everybody.”
How was Malik chosen?
In line with Capital Transient, Labor had approached a number of folks earlier than Malik, however every potential candidate had fallen by way of. Albanese promised in July, when Jillian Segal was appointed particular envoy to fight antisemitism, that the Islamophobia envoy appointment can be made “shortly”.
Amath advised Crikey the range of Australia’s Muslim neighborhood, and considerations in regards to the sincerity of the federal government’s intentions, had delayed the method.
“It’s fairly a various neighborhood, by way of cultural teams, sectarianism, and approaches to Islam — so to select any person to characterize the complete neighborhood, I believe was very, very troublesome,” she stated.
“Some individuals who have been approached felt that it was fairly an enormous function, and so they weren’t positive if the federal government was actually critical about Islamophobia — there have been some misgivings as to what the intentions have been.”
The prime minister’s workplace declined to touch upon how the appointment course of was carried out.
How was the announcement made?
Burke’s workplace invited Muslim neighborhood advocates to the Sheraton Grand lodge in Sydney final evening, the place the minister, Malik, and a consultant from the Australian Nationwide Imams Council made remarks. Media weren’t invited.
“Malik stated he was eager to work with the specialists, and that he’s keen to have trustworthy conversations with the federal government in relation to Islamophobia and proposals for insurance policies in that regard,” stated Amath, who was one of many folks current.
In July, when Segal was introduced as the federal government’s antisemitism envoy, the prime minister and the then multiculturalism minister held a press convention along with her. No such pressers have been deliberate for at the moment, though Burke was interviewed by ABC’s Radio Nationwide within the morning.
