Monash welcomes Australian Government response to the Special Envoy’s Plan to Combat Islamophobia

Monash University welcomes the Australian Government’s response to the Special Envoy’s Plan to Combat Islamophobia and its commitment to implement a number of the report’s recommendations.

The harmful and enduring impact of Islamophobia has no place at Monash and we remain steadfast in our responsibility to reject hatred in all its forms.

The University extends its gratitude to Special Envoy Aftab Malik for his thoughtful and comprehensive report, and for his longstanding dedication to combating Islamophobia in Australia.

Universities have a responsibility not only to study the issues of racism, but to confront them.

Since 2024, Monash has invested $2 million into establishing and expanding social cohesion initiatives. Through our Anti-Racism Statement and inclusion programs, we continue to strengthen practical measures to prevent and address Islamophobia and all forms of racism, including:

  • Surveyed almost 4,000 students in a first of its kind study to concurrently examine discrimination and harassment towards Muslim, Arab, and Jewish students.
  • Used the survey to capture these experiences and establish new student-led initiatives to foster respectful dialogue and common ground, including the expansion of the Brave Conversations Project.
  • Introduced Islamophobia training for all student services staff, led by academic experts in the field. The training introduces Islam and Muslim practices, examines how Islamophobia manifests in Australia and affects Muslim communities, and provides practical strategies for engaging with Muslim students and staff.
  • Working with Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA) to design and develop an Anti-Palestinian Racism Awareness Program that aims to increase understanding of anti-Palestinian racism and equip staff with the knowledge to recognise and respond to it.
  • Established an Islamophobia and Anti-Arab Sentiment Working Group to explore opportunities to strengthen our approach to inclusion, safety and respect for Muslim, Arab and Palestinian communities.
  • Regular meetings with representatives from the Monash University Islamic Society (MUIS) and Monash Arab Society (MAS) student groups to maintain an ongoing dialogue on matters affecting their communities.

The University recognises that this work is ongoing and we are dedicated to listening, learning and taking meaningful action to strengthen a culture where racism is actively challenged and every member of our community feels respected, supported and able to thrive.

At Monash, that includes taking action while investing in initiatives that strengthen social cohesion, supporting research that exposes racism, and holding ourselves accountable through measures such as our 2025 Annual Report: Disclosures of Racism and Institutional Response.