Islamophobia Envoy Warns Hanson\’s Burqa Stunt Worsens Safety Risk for Muslim Women

Australia — One Nation Leader Pauline Hanson\’s decision to repeat her controversial 2017 burqa stunt in the Senate has drawn sharp criticism not only from political opponents but also from Australia’s official voice against religious discrimination.

Aftab Malik, Australia\’s Islamophobia envoy, strongly warned that Hanson\’s action—performed moments after she failed to table a bill seeking to ban full face coverings—could directly worsen safety risks for Muslim women.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Malik expressed deep frustration that Muslim women\’s clothing choices are continually tied to national security fears, especially when Islamophobia is reportedly at \”record levels\” in Australia.

\”This will deepen existing safety risks for Australian Muslim women who choose to wear the headscarf, the hijab, or the full face and body covering, the burqa,\” Malik said, cautioning the move could worsen harassment, threats of rape, and violence.

The stunt was met with outrage in the Senate and immediately forced the temporary suspension of the chamber.

Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi dismissed the action, telling the newspaper that One Nation \”has nothing to offer Australians apart from tired culture wars and hollow publicity stunts,\” calling the ban attempt a recycling of their \”racist, Islamophobic policy generator.\”

Independent WA Senator Fatima Payman condemned Hanson for \”disrespecting a faith, disrespecting Muslim Australians,\” leading the immediate protest in the chamber.

Despite the widespread condemnation from government, opposition, and crossbench leaders, Senator Hanson remained resolute, defending the move on social media as a display of the \”oppressive\” garment that she believes poses a security risk, challenging Parliament to \”ban the burqa\” if they dislike her wearing it.