AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the appointment of Aftab Malik as the country’s first special envoy to combat Islamophobia.
Malik, a British-Australian recognized by the United Nations Alliance of Civilisations as a global expert on Muslim affairs, will take on the role starting October 14.
Malik’s appointment comes nearly three months after Jillian Segal was named as the anti-semitism envoy in July, according to a report from Xinhua news agency.
In a joint statement with Tony Burke, Minister for Home Affairs, Immigration, and Multicultural Affairs, Albanese said the new envoy will work closely with Muslim community members, religious discrimination experts, and government representatives to identify effective strategies for addressing Islamophobia.
Malik, who was born in Britain to Pakistani parents, moved to Australia in 2012. Since then, he has worked with the New South Wales state government on initiatives aimed at promoting social cohesion and countering hate and extremism.
The special envoy will serve a three-year term and report directly to Albanese and Burke.
....................
End/ 257