Australian PM Appoints Envoy to Combat Islamophobia
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has appointed a special envoy to address Islamophobia in the country.
On Monday night, Albanese announced that Aftab Malik, a British-Australian recognized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations as a global expert on Muslim affairs, will serve as the government’s inaugural Islamophobia envoy.
Malik’s appointment follows the July selection of Jillian Segal as the envoy for anti-Semitism, according to Xinhua news agency.
In a joint statement with Tony Burke, Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Albanese stated that the special envoy will work closely with members of the Muslim community, experts in religious discrimination, and government entities to identify effective strategies to combat Islamophobia.
Malik, who will begin his three-year term on October 14, will report directly to Albanese and Burke. Originally from Britain and of Pakistani descent, he migrated to Australia in 2012, where he has been actively involved in promoting social cohesion and countering hate and extremism within the New South Wales state government.
