7am Inside the Islamophobia envoy’s private briefings to parliament
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Aug 17, 2025 Daanyal Saeed, a Crikey reporter, dives into the complexities surrounding the appointment of Aftab Malik as Australia’s envoy to combat Islamophobia. They discuss Malik's private briefings with Parliament and the controversial distinction some draw between Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism. Saeed highlights concerns over Malik's approach and effectiveness amidst rising tensions in Gaza, as well as the struggles to staff his office with candidates wary of political implications. Calls for concrete actions to combat Islamophobia echo throughout the conversation.
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Private MP Briefings Revealed
- Aftab Malik held private briefings with federal MPs and staff in Canberra in late July after a tip-off revealed them to Crikey.
- Attendees included Senators David Shoebridge and Fatima Payman and MPs like Anne Aly and Julian Hill.
Distancing Islamophobia From Gaza
- Malik did not mention the Gaza war until prompted and separates Islamophobia from anti-Palestinian racism.
- That distinction surprised many attendees and is contested by community leaders.
Community Pushback Via Direct Messages
- Nasser Mashni repeatedly messaged Malik urging him to link anti-Palestinian racism with Islamophobia and provided screenshots.
- Malik responded cautiously and remained circumspect in his language.