This complaint represents a landmark step in addressing Islamophobia in mass media.
Through this action, the Alliance Against Islamophobia (AAI) seeks a statement from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) affirming that films classified by the Australian Classification Board can still be held liable under religious vilification laws if they promote anti-Muslim rhetoric or incite hatred, contempt, or ridicule towards Muslims.
This case could be ground-breaking—it challenges the long-standing assumption that classification protects harmful content from legal accountability. If successful, it could set a powerful precedent, ensuring that cinemas and distributors think twice before screening films that normalise or spread Islamophobic narratives.
Beyond its legal implications, this action has the potential to transform how Islamophobia is addressed in Australian media and entertainment, reinforcing the principle that artistic expression must coexist with respect, inclusivity, and social responsibility.
This is not just about one movie—it’s about protecting our communities, reshaping media accountability, and ensuring that the stories shared on Australian screens reflect the values of a just, respectful, and multicultural nation.
The Alliance Against Islamophobia (AAI) is lodging discrimination cases against Multicultural NSW and Parramatta City Council for funding and empowering far-right Hindu extremist groups in Australia that promote anti-Muslim hate and have ideological and material links with transnational extremist organisations in India that have openly called for the genocide of Muslims.
By including such groups in the NSW Faith Affairs Council—these government bodies are contributing to systemic discrimination against Muslim communities in Australia.
Further by supporting these groups using of taxpayer funds to legitimise organisations that propagate hatred and exclusion not only undermines social cohesion but also normalises Islamophobia within public institutions.
These actions have empowered extremist-linked organisations to promote severe ridicule, contempt, and fear of Muslims, deepening their marginalisation from public and civic spaces and eroding Australia’s multicultural values.
This case could become a landmark in Australia’s legal and multicultural history, setting a precedent that government agencies cannot fund or platform organisations that promote hate or have links to movements calling for violence or genocide.
The AAI’s action stands as a powerful call for accountability and justice, reaffirming that multiculturalism must never be weaponised to legitimise hate, and that governments have a duty to protect all communities—especially those most targeted by organised campaigns of Islamophobia.
If successful, this case will go a long way in ensuring that public funds and public institutions are used to strengthen inclusion, not division, and that the voices of marginalised Muslim Australians are heard, respected, and protected.
The Alliance Against Islamophobia (AAI) has lodged a hate speech complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) against the Hindu Council of Australia (HCA) and its President, seeking damages and financial compensation for the harm caused to the Australian Muslim community through the promotion of anti-Muslim hate speech and public vilification.
This complaint represents a historic and precedent-setting moment in holding far-right Hindu extremist groups and their leadership in Australia accountable for spreading Islamophobic narratives that incite hatred, contempt, and severe ridicule against Muslims.
It directly challenges the normalisation of transnational extremist ideologies that have inspired calls for the genocide of Muslims in India and are now being replicated and amplified within Australia’s public and online spaces.
If successful, this case could mark a landmark victory for justice, accountability, and community protection—affirming that no organisation or leader is above the law when it comes to vilification or the incitement of hate.
It reinforces that freedom of expression does not extend to freedom to persecute and that religious and racial harmony must be safeguarded under Australian law.
This action is about more than redress—it is about protecting our community for generations to come, ensuring that Islamophobia is never allowed to masquerade as free speech, and that our multicultural Australia remains a place where every person, regardless of faith, can live with dignity, safety, and respect.
The AAI is also lodging a religious vilification complaint against Peter Dutton, on behalf of Australian Muslim communities, following his public remarks in which he stated that a minority government including “Muslim candidates from Western Sydney … would be a disaster.”
We are seeking a formal apology from Mr Dutton. An apology is essential not only as acknowledgement of harm, but as a tangible step towards repairing trust, restoring dignity to Muslim Australians, and signalling that Islamophobic rhetoric at senior political levels is unacceptable and carry consequences.
This action is deeply important because it:
Makes clear that public figures are held accountable when their words contribute to a hostile environment for Muslim Australians.
Reinforces the principle that religious vilification laws apply equally — no one is beyond scrutiny because of their office or status.
Sends a strong message that Islamophobia will not be tolerated, particularly when it emerges from influential political leadership.
Forms part of a broader legal strategy by AAI to protect our communities, uphold Australia’s commitment to multiculturalism, and ensure that public discourse upholds respect, dignity and equality.
Notices sent to theatres screening an Islamophobic film; submissions to the Classification Board.
Acknowledgement of our concerns about vilification by the Australian Classification Board, a significant victory.
Lodging a vilification complaint against the theatre which screened the movie, to establish a strong precedent for effectively addressing Islamophobia in mass media.
Legal notice sent to a university for platforming an
organisation linked to far-right Hindu extremist groups.
Fostering a safer, more respectful environment for Muslim students.
Filing for religious vilification and discrimination against
the Univeristy at the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights
Commission, with potential escalation.
Legal notification issued to a council for
mainstreaming far-right Hindu extremism and celebrating the inauguration of the Ram Temple, an event connected to the Gujarat
Genocide and the ethnic cleansing atrocities against Muslims.
Challenges the mainstreaming far-right Hindu extremism, anti Muslim hatred and celebration of ethnic cleansing atrocities against Muslims.
Lodging a discrimination complaint against the council to establish a strong precedent for effectively addressing Islamophobia and discrimination in local government bodies
