Husic Urges Royal Commission to Address Islamophobia

0:00In Sinny today, March 5th, Labour MP, Ed Huzzik is calling for the Royal Commission into anti-Semitism and social cohesion to expand its scope and examine rising Islamophobia too. He says Muslim Australians should not have to beg the government for protection. This comes after the Commission was set up to probe the Bondi terror attacks that targeted Jewish people. Since October 7th, 2023, anti-Semitic incidents have surged by 700 percent, while Islamophobia reports jumped 600 percent. Earlier this week, Commissioner Virginia Bell noted that anti-Semitism would be the starting point, but she acknowledged prejudice against other. Religions as well. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been cautious about adding Islamophobia to the inquiry's focus on social cohesion. Muslim leaders like Belal Rao from the Australian National Imams Council agree with Huzzik, saying anti-Muslim hate since Bondi feels worse than after. On 11, they point to widespread verbal and physical abuse happening now.

1:04On the other side, Simone Abel from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry insists the Commission should stick to anti-Semitism because the Bondi attacks specifically targeted Jews during Hanukkah. Huzzik also criticized the government's slow response to the Human Rights Commission's National Anti-Racism Report from December 2022. He highlighted watered down laws on hate groups instead of stronger racial vilification protections, warning they leave some groups unprotected. Meanwhile, both sides hope for broader action against all racism. Huzzik fears labor could lose Muslim support while Abel calls for a societal reckoning to understand and fight different forms of prejudice effectively. The Prime Minister's office has been contacted for common, and support for this episode comes from our sponsor. See the description. If sleep podcasts are your thing, this is your pillow, built for comfort and calm, S-O-L-L-I-SoliPillow.com. S-O-L-L-I-SoliPillow.com S-O-L-L-L-I-SoliPillow.com.