Elham Asaad Buaras
Reported Islamophobic incidents recorded by an Australian Muslim anti-hate initiative rose by 300 per cent in January 2026, including threats, physical attacks, discrimination, vandalism and online abuse, according to its September bulletin.
Action Against Islamophobia (AAI), an initiative of the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), said reports had increased significantly in recent years, with some incidents described as “pervasive” and “terrifying”.
The figures are based on reports submitted to AAI through its incident-reporting service, rather than a national survey of all incidents. Reports can be submitted anonymously and cover anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian racism both online and in person.
The January rise came amid heightened concerns about anti-Muslim hate following the December 14, 2025, terrorist attack in Sydney’s Bondi area. Australian Muslim organisations reported increased abuse and threats against Muslims and Islamic institutions afterwards.
One case involved a 47-year-old Imam, Ismet Purdic, and his wife, who were allegedly targeted while travelling on the South Gippsland Highway near Dandenong in Melbourne in January.
Victoria Police said the couple were allegedly racially abused by occupants of another vehicle before being forced into a service station, where the occupants allegedly damaged their car and assaulted Purdic.
Two men were charged with criminal damage and common-law assault, while an 18-year-old woman was released pending summons.
Purdic later described the incident as a “very, very bad experience” and said he believed he and his wife had been targeted after the occupants noticed his wife’s hijab.
“My message for all of us in Australia is just to stay together to help each other to stay safe, and not to allow anyone, doesn’t matter … his religion or beliefs, to break this peace,” he said.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan said there was “no place for Islamophobia” in the state and backed the couple’s right to live and travel safely and free from hate. Victoria Police said there was “absolutely no place for prejudice-motivated, religious-based or hate-based behaviour in our society”.
ANIC described the January 10 incident as religiously motivated, saying the attackers allegedly identified the couple as Muslim before boxing in their vehicle, throwing objects at it and threatening Purdic’s wife with stabbing. It said Purdic was punched in the face before bystanders intervened.
“The psychological trauma suffered by the victims is severe,” ANIC said, adding that no family should fear being attacked because of their “faith, appearance, or identity”.
The Australian Government has since introduced further measures to address Islamophobia.
On June 30, the Office of Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia launched a national campaign encouraging people to recognise and report anti-Muslim hate, noting that many incidents go unreported. Special Envoy Aftab Malik said reporting was important to understanding the scale and impact of Islamophobia.
On September 1, the office announced Australia’s first National Islamophobia Index, commissioned with the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute to track attitudes towards Muslims and Islam across the country.
The government also announced on July 18 that it would establish a 12-month Islamophobia Education Taskforce as part of its response to the Special Envoy’s recommendations, alongside new grants for Muslim community organisations focused on participation, resilience and leadership.
It urged people who experience or witness anti-Muslim hate to report incidents so they can be documented and appropriate support provided.
