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Australia has a history of Islamophobia, which refers to the social aversion, bias, and hostility towards Muslims, Islam, and those perceived to follow the religion. While Islamophobia in Australia existed before the September 11 attacks, the event contributed to the marginalisation and discrimination of the Muslim community in the country. Various Australian politicians and political commentators have perpetuated negative stereotypes, and public opinion polls have revealed significant negative feelings towards Muslims and concerns about immigration from Muslim-majority countries. Several incidents, such as the Sydney gang rapes in 2000 and the Cronulla riots in 2005, have also heightened tensions between Australian Muslims and the general population. Additionally, there have been calls for a ban on the burqa in public spaces, and some politicians have advocated for restrictive immigration policies targeting Muslims. While Islamophobia exists in Australia, it is important to note that there are also efforts to foster positive relations between Muslims and the broader Australian community, and many Australians reject Islamophobia and support cultural harmony and cohesion.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Muslims in Australia | 476,000 Australians (2.2% of the population) |
| Muslim countries of origin | Bosnia, Turkey, Lebanon, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran, Fiji, Albania, Sudan, Somalia, Egypt, Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh |
| Sunni Muslims in Australia | Concentrated in Sydney suburbs of Lakemba, Punchbowl, Wiley Park, Bankstown and Auburn |
| Shia Muslims in Australia | 30,000 followers nationally in 2008, centred in Sydney suburbs of St George, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Auburn and Liverpool |
| Anti-Muslim sentiment in Australia | 48.6% of Australians had a negative opinion of Islam (2011); 25% held anti-Muslim views (2014); 10% had hostile attitudes (2016); 49% supported a ban on Muslim immigration (2016); 58% supported Muslim immigration (2016) |
| Islamophobia in Australia | Muslims portrayed negatively in media as violent, uncivilised, misogynistic and oppressive towards women; marginalisation, discrimination and exclusion of Muslim community; anti-Islam groups campaigned against halal food certification |
| Burqa ban in Australia | Supported by more than half of respondents in a 2017 poll; opposed on grounds of conflicting with Section 116 of the Constitution, which protects religious freedom |
| Political exploitation of anti-Muslim sentiment | Far-right politicians such as Fraser Anning, Pauline Hanson, Cory Bernardi, George Christensen, Jacqui Lambie, Mark Latham and Tony Abbott have advocated for restrictions on Muslim immigration and religious practices |
| Hate crimes against Muslims | Instances of racist attacks, discrimination, and social media vilification |
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What You'll Learn
Islamophobia in Australia
Historical Context
Islamophobia and intolerance towards Muslims in Australia existed well before the September 11 attacks in the United States. Historically, Muslim immigration to Australia was restricted under the White Australia Policy (1901–1975). Even after the repeal of this policy, Islamophobia continued to persist and manifest in various forms.
Media Portrayal
The Australian media has been criticised for portraying Muslim immigrants in a negative light, contributing to the marginalisation and discrimination of the Muslim community. Muslims have been stereotyped as violent, with men often portrayed as inclined towards terrorism. Additionally, public discourse focusing on Western values and women's rights has led to the portrayal of Islam and Islamic clerics as misogynistic and oppressive towards women.
Political Influence
Various Australian politicians and political commentators have capitalised on negative stereotypes of Muslims, contributing to a climate of Islamophobia. For example, in 2014, anti-Islam groups campaigned against Australian food companies to stop them from offering halal-certified products, claiming that halal certification increased food prices for all consumers and that the fees funded terrorism. This led to companies like the Fleurieu Milk & Yoghurt Company discontinuing their halal products.
Public Sentiment
Public sentiment towards Muslims in Australia is mixed. While a 2011 poll found that 48.6% of Australians had a negative opinion of Islam, a 2014 survey revealed that a quarter of Australians held anti-Muslim views, which was five times higher than for any other religion. A more recent poll in 2016 by the University of South Australia found that 10% of Australians held hostile attitudes towards Muslims. However, a 2021 report by the Islamophobia Register Australia and Monash University concluded that most Australians displayed low levels of Islamophobia.
Recent Incidents
Despite this, there have been recent reports of a rise in Islamophobic incidents across Australia, including assaults, abuse, and threats. Online Islamophobia has also increased, with misinformation spreading on social media and private messages targeting Muslims. Additionally, there have been instances of anti-Muslim protests, such as the "Stop the Mosque in Bendigo" campaign, which was supported by far-right organisations.
Policy Impact
The impact of Islamophobia has extended to policy proposals and legislation. In 2014, Senator Jacqui Lambie announced plans to introduce a bill to ban the burqa in Australia, citing security concerns. This proposal sparked debates about religious freedom and individual rights, with some arguing that it conflicted with Section 116 of the Constitution, which protects religious freedom. While the bill has not become law, it reflects the ongoing tensions and discussions surrounding cultural and religious expression in Australia.
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Anti-Muslim sentiment in Australia
Islamophobia in Australia refers to the distrust and hostility towards Muslims, Islam, and those perceived to be following the religion. This social aversion and bias are often perpetuated in the media through the stereotyping of Muslims as violent, uncivilized, and misogynistic.
Islamophobia in Australia has a long history, with Muslim immigration to the country being restricted under the White Australia Policy from 1901 to 1975. Negative perceptions of Islam and Muslims have also been fuelled by a perceived lack of integration among Muslim migrants and the rise of militant Islam in Australia, which has led to increased Islamophobia and hindered efforts by Muslims to foster positive relations with the broader Australian community.
Various incidents and surveys highlight the prevalence of anti-Muslim sentiment in Australia. For instance, in 2014, anti-Islam groups campaigned against Australian food companies that were producing halal products, arguing that the cost of certification increased prices for all consumers and that the fees charged were used to fund terrorism. This resulted in some companies, such as the Fleurieu Milk & Yoghurt Company, discontinuing their halal products. Additionally, in 2015, the far-right and anti-Islam Q Society was involved in a defamation lawsuit over its claims that the Islamic certification industry was corrupt and funded "the push for sharia law in Australia".
Surveys and polls have also gauged anti-Muslim sentiment in Australia. A large-scale poll from 2011 found that 48.6% of Australians had a negative opinion of Islam. Another survey from 2014 revealed that a quarter of Australians held anti-Muslim views, which was five times higher than for any other religion. Furthermore, 27% of Muslim Australians reported experiencing discrimination, the highest among the religions covered in the study. A more recent poll from 2016 by the University of South Australia found that 10% of Australians held hostile attitudes towards Muslims, while a 2017 poll by Sky News Australia and ReachTEL showed that over half of the respondents supported banning the burqa in public spaces.
The manifestation of Islamophobia in Australia varies and requires diverse anti-racist efforts to address it effectively. There is a clear link between Islamophobia and anti-refugee discourses and politics, as well as anti-Middle Eastern sentiment. Individuals who hold negative or neutral attitudes towards refugees and cultural diversity are more likely to exhibit Islamophobic tendencies. As such, there is a growing recognition of the need for more support in schools, workplaces, communities, and recreation venues to address the many levels and forms of Islamophobia that exist in Australia.
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Muslim immigration to Australia
Muslims in Australia come from 63 different backgrounds, with "loose associations" between them. While a very large number come from Bosnia, Turkey, and Lebanon, there are Muslims from Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran, Fiji, Albania, Sudan, Somalia, Egypt, the Palestinian territories, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, among others. At the time of the 2011 census, 476,000 Australians (2.2% of the population) reported Islam as their religion.
Muslims have a long history in Australia, but Islamophobia has been a significant issue. Muslim immigration to Australia was restricted under the White Australia Policy (1901–1975). Islamophobia and intolerance towards Muslims existed well before the September 11 attacks in the United States. Australian media has been criticised for portraying Muslim immigrants in a negative light, perpetuating stereotypes of Muslims as violent, misogynistic, and uncivilised. Various Australian politicians and political commentators have capitalised on these negative stereotypes, contributing to the marginalisation, discrimination, and exclusion of the Muslim community.
In recent years, there have been increasing calls for a ban on Muslim migration to Australia, with polls indicating that around half of Australians support such a ban. This sentiment is often fuelled by far-right organisations and anti-Islam groups, which have mobilised residents to oppose the construction of mosques and campaigned against halal food certification. Some scholars argue that the rise of militant Islam in Australia has contributed to the increase in Islamophobia, undermining efforts by Muslims to foster positive relations with the Australian public.
While there is currently no official ban on Muslim immigration, proposed laws have raised concerns. The Migration Amendment (Visa Revalidation and Other Measures) Bill 2016 grants the Immigration Minister the power to cancel visas based on a person's country of origin, which could potentially impact Muslim migrants. Additionally, there have been efforts to ban the burqa in Australia, with politicians advocating for restrictions on wearing full-face coverings in public spaces, citing security concerns and arguing that Islamic women are forced to wear them.
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Muslim communities in Australia
Muslims have a long history in Australia, which is thought to predate European settlement. Muslims from Indonesia made contact with Indigenous Australians as early as the 16th and 17th centuries, and Aboriginal cave paintings depict traditional Makassar vessels. Marriages between Indigenous people and Macassarese are also believed to have taken place.
The number of Muslims in Australia increased after its immigration laws were changed in 1975 to accept non-white immigrants. As of 2016, 604,000 Muslims make up 2.6% of the population, with most living in New South Wales and Victoria. Sydney and Melbourne have the highest proportion of Muslims. Over a third of Muslims in Australia were born there, with the largest groups of Muslim immigrants born in Lebanon and Turkey.
Muslims in Australia face significant challenges, including underrepresentation and discrimination. They often earn significantly less than non-immigrant Australians and may struggle to support their families and provide for their children's future. Muslims are overrepresented in jails in New South Wales and Victoria, and many appear to be struggling to integrate. Anti-Muslim attitudes have grown significantly among Australians since the 9/11 attacks in 2001, with some polls showing that as many as 10% of non-Muslim Australians exhibit hostile attitudes towards Muslims. This has led to protests against the construction of mosques and the promotion of negative stereotypes in the media, portraying Muslims as violent, inclined to terrorism, and oppressive towards women.
Islamophobia in Australia refers to the social aversion, distrust, and hostility towards Muslims, Islam, and those perceived to follow the religion. This bias is facilitated and perpetuated by the media and some politicians, contributing to the marginalization and exclusion of the Muslim community. Some scholars argue that the rise of militant Islam in Australia has also increased Islamophobia and undermined efforts by Muslims to foster positive relations with the public.
Despite these challenges, there are various Islamic associations and communities in Australia. Most Australian Muslims are Sunni, with Shia, Sufi, and Ahmadiyya minorities. Sydney's Sunni Muslim population is concentrated in the suburb of Lakemba and surrounding areas, with Shia Muslims centred in St George, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Auburn, and Liverpool. Perth also has a Muslim community focused in and around the suburb of Thornlie, with around 2000 students attending the Australian Islamic School.
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Australian Muslims and the general population
Muslims in Australia come from a diverse range of backgrounds, with communities from Bosnia, Turkey, Lebanon, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iran, Fiji, Albania, Sudan, Somalia, Egypt, Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and more. At the time of the 2011 census, 476,000 Australians, or 2.2% of the population, reported Islam as their religion. While the majority of Australian Muslims are Sunni, there are also Shia, Sufi, and Ahmadiyya minorities, with communities adhering to various forms of Islam, such as the Tablighi Jamaat and Dawateislami.
Australian Muslims are predominantly concentrated in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, with established mosques and Islamic centres in these areas. However, there have been instances of tension between Australian Muslims and the general population. For example, in 2000, a group of Lebanese men sexually assaulted non-Muslim women in Sydney, and in 2005, tensions between Muslims and non-Muslims in Cronulla, Sydney, led to violent rioting. In 2012, Muslim protests in central Sydney against an anti-Islam film trailer resulted in rioting.
Islamophobia, characterised by distrust and hostility towards Muslims, has been prevalent in Australia. Media portrayals often stereotype Muslims as violent and uncivilised, contributing to their marginalisation and discrimination. Public opinion polls indicate varying levels of anti-Muslim sentiment, with some showing negative views towards Islam and concerns about immigration from Muslim-majority countries. There has also been support for banning the burqa in public spaces, with a 2017 poll showing over half of respondents in favour.
Instances of Islamophobia in Australia include campaigns against halal food certification, protests against the construction of mosques, and calls from politicians to ban Muslim immigration. Far-right groups and politicians have contributed to anti-Muslim sentiment, with organisations like the United Patriots Front and Right Wing Resistance Australia organising protests against the construction of mosques. Politicians such as Senator Fraser Anning have called for a ban on Muslim migration, although these views have been condemned by the Australian Prime Minister and major political parties.
Despite these challenges, there are also efforts to foster positive relations between Australian Muslims and the general population. For example, during instances of COVID-19-related racism, the Victoria government apologised to the affected communities, and the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network filed a complaint against Facebook under the Racial Discrimination Act for hate speech. Additionally, banks like the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank have openly supported the construction of mosques, and some scholars argue that public discourse rectifying negative images of Islamic culture can help reduce Islamophobia.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia has not banned Muslims. However, there is a significant amount of Islamophobia in Australia, and various Australian politicians and political commentators have capitalised on negative stereotypes of Muslims, contributing to the marginalisation and discrimination of the Muslim community.
A large-scale poll published in 2011 found that 48.6% of Australians had a negative opinion of Islam. Another survey published in 2014 found that a quarter of Australians held anti-Muslim views, and 27% of Muslim Australians have experienced discrimination. A 2017 poll of 2,832 Australian residents found that more than half of respondents supported banning the burqa in public spaces.
In 2014, anti-Islam groups campaigned against Australian food companies to stop them from having their food certified as halal. In the same year, residents in Bendigo created a "Stop the Mosque in Bendigo" group, and certain far-right organisations mobilised residents and outsiders to oppose the construction of a mosque. In 2016, a poll found that 49% of respondents supported a ban on Muslim immigration to Australia, with 63% of those respondents citing the perceived failure of Muslims to integrate and "share our values" as the main reason for their support. In 2018, Australian Senator Fraser Anning called for a national vote on whether to ban Muslim migration, stating that Muslims were responsible for acts of terror and crime.
