AMAN brings specialist expertise in policy, research, media and law to safeguard the human rights of Australian Muslims.
Vision
Australian Muslims are a diverse peoples. But we all need security, a sense of belonging, and the space to freely express who we are.
Our vision is an Australia with a hopeful and vibrant sense of nationhood, one that owns and celebrates its cosmopolitan nature. We understand Australia’s colonial past, strong European connections and the outstanding heritage and ongoing aspirations of First Nations’ peoples. Our presence on this continent reaches back centuries. Our stories are now intrinsically woven together.
The strength of our liberal democracy is core in carrying out this vision; not only in protecting freedom of expression and encouraging quality debate, but also in upholding equality and respect amongst diverse peoples.
AMAN’s first priority
The mainstreaming of anti-Muslim prejudice, dehumanisation and Islamophobia has led to significant identity stress amongst youth in our community, who want to identify as Australian Muslim, but frequently receive the message that they do not belong. The narratives that demonise Muslims are entwined with the narratives that demonise asylum seekers and immigrants, especially people arriving from the Middle East and Africa.
This prejudice erodes security and can lead to danger, especially for sisters who wear the veil, and our places of worship. It can lead to discrimination by authorities, including law enforcement.
Our first agenda is about making it clear, through law, policy and education, that inciting hatred and violence against people, because of their religion, is not ‘free speech.’ The Albanese Government has committed to delivering religious discrimination and vilification laws. We will keep going until they are legislated in Parliament.
Another critical change we seek is to Australian Terrorism Law to remove the category of ‘religiously motivated’ terrorism. All terrorism is political and ideological. Islam does not support terrorism. Australian law has contributed to the strength of racist nationalist movements by perpetuating the conflation of our religion and terror, which is spread through the media.
We are keen to work across institutions of our Governments, laws, law enforcement, media, tech companies, regulators and the research sector to raise awareness about how they contribute to Islamophobia.
The changes we push are beneficial to other minoritised communities in Australia, especially those facing entrenched and institutional racism.
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Acknowledgement of Country
AMAN acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We recognise that many of the issues Muslims face from police and the legal system, from mainstream media, politics, researchers and online, were first and continue to be experienced by First Nations Peoples. We acknowledge their ongoing power, sovereignty, voice, aspirations and struggle. There will be no racial justice in Australia until there is justice for First Nations Peoples.