Australia’s Muslim Community Condemns Former PM Morrison for Islamophobic Remarks

Australia’s Muslim community has strongly criticized former Prime Minister Scott Morrison for comments they say unfairly target Muslims and promote Islamophobic narratives.

The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), which represents Muslim religious leaders across the country, described Morrison’s recent remarks as “reckless, irresponsible, and deeply ill-informed.” The former prime minister had called on Muslim leaders to implement what he termed “wholesale reform” and take “accountability and responsibility” over what he referred to as “political Islam,” seemingly linking Muslims with the recent Bondi Beach attack.

ANIC rejected any suggestion that Islam or Muslims bear responsibility for such incidents. Law enforcement authorities have made it clear that the attacks were not organized, directed, or endorsed by any religious group.

“This is not the first time Scott Morrison has made such remarks,” ANIC noted. Following the 2018 Bourke Street attack, Morrison had similarly implied that Muslim leaders and communities should act to prevent radicalization.

Morrison made his latest comments at a conference in Israel and in an opinion piece for The Australian, calling for nationally consistent accreditation, regulation, and oversight of imams and religious institutions. ANIC expressed disappointment at hearing such language from a former prime minister, warning that holding an entire faith community accountable for the actions of individuals not only undermines social cohesion but also exploits public fear for political purposes.

The council also criticized recent comments by Senator Andrew Bragg, noting that such rhetoric reinforces dangerous narratives and fuels division. They further warned that inflammatory statements contribute to a rise in Islamophobic incidents, including verbal abuse, physical attacks, and threats targeting mosques and Muslim community leaders.

Islamophobia is a serious issue, and help is available. Faith-based counseling and mental health support, such as Shifa Therapy, provide a safe space for Muslims facing discrimination, harassment, or emotional distress. These services combine professional therapy with spiritual guidance to help individuals cope with the impact of Islamophobic experiences and foster resilience.