Challenging Islamophobia towards Social Justice & Inclusion

The National Social Cohesion Conference was held at the newly established Law Faculty of the University of Sydney between Sunday 19th of July and Tuesday 21st of July. The conference was organised in collaboration with Affinity Intercultural Foundation, Macquarie University, University of Western Sydney, University of Sydney and University of Newcastle. The theme of this particular conference was “Challenging Islamophobia: Towards Social Justice & Inclusion”.

Through a media release, the organising committee highlighted that “as a framework for living with cultural diversity, the ideal of multiculturalism has come under increasing attack in recent years both in Australia and overseas”.

The conference attracted a diverse range of participation from the community sector to political, religious, academia, public sector and educational institutions.

The Conference commenced with a symposium on Sunday evening. This symposium set a platform to explore how to work towards a socially cohesive society in the context of contemporary realities and challenges.
The Master of ceremonies, Mr. Ahmet Keskin welcomed the Hon. Paul Lynch M.P. who officially opened the program. The Hon. Paul Lynch acknowledged the unique initiative taken by Affinity Intercultural Foundation and the conference organising committee.
Prof Kevin Dunn from the University of Western Sydney discussed “Standing by Australian Muslims: Bearing witness to racism”. Assoc Prof Jake Lynch from the University of Sydney explored the topic “Islamophobia and the Media: Complicity through denial and indifference”. The international speaker Dr Ihsan Yilmaz from the University of London presented the general theme “Islamophobia in Europe”. As the final speaker, Mehmet Ozalp from Affinity Intercultural Foundation presented the case “Islamophobia in Australia: Denial sometimes means acceptance”.
Significantly, this conference highlighted the issues of Islamophobia and its influences on integration and citizenship within the current and future framework of Australian Multiculturalism. The Monday and Tuesday leg of the conference explored the impact of Islamophobia with the following six plenary panels:

Muslim experiences, settling in Australia
Media and its role in public hysteria
Islam, the State and social inclusion
Marginalisation, radicalisation and terrorism
Muslim Women: narrated experiences from margins
Anti-racism: learning from the past, new strategies

Amidst a number of great presentations, below are some memorable remarks that were noted:

“Islamophobia definitely exists. It is definitely wrong” Robin Margo - President, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies
“Australian identity is fluid and resplendent with possibilities” Jihad Dib - Principal, Punchbowl Boy’s High School
“Enlightenment comes with overcoming fear of the difference” Jeff McMullen - Journalist, author and film maker
“There is a growing politicisation of immigration” Prof Jock Collins - University of Technology, NSW
“’Islamic extremism’ is a term that shouldn’t be used. In my presentation on community engagement model of the NSW police, I will not use the word Islam in conjunction with terrorism.” Detective Superintendant John O’Reilly - NSW Police Force
“There is the latest arrival syndrome in Australia. Latest comers cop the prejudice Muslims are told. Muslims have been in Australia more than a hundred years and in large numbers for 41 years. When does one stop being new?” Mehmet Ozalp - CEO, Affinity Intercultural Foundation
“We are all Australian and let us be an example to the world – perhaps we already are – with so many migrants wanting to call Australia – home!” Ikebal Patel - President, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC)
“Young Muslims will not engage in institutions that are perceived to be discriminatory. Self-criticism and transformation within Muslim institutions will become easier once the climate of Islamophobia is lifted” Ihsan Yilmaz – University of London, UK

Feedback from the participants was very encouraging. Whilst one participant though the conference was “very informative, addressing the issues and the solutions and the root causes of today’s Islamophobia.” Another participant said “I thoroughly enjoyed the conference and felt quite inspired afterwards”.

While this conference set the platform to discuss the different challenges that arise from the phenomenon of Islamophobia, many important and constructive outcomes are anticipated as a result of the conference. Awareness merits solutions. This is where our multicultural Australian social fabric will find itself positively enhanced in the years to come.

Presentations :

Affinity Intercultural Foundation

Challenging Islamophobia towards Social Justice & Inclusion

Affinity Website