Muslim Minorities in Australia

Abstract

The commencement of Muslim immigration to Australia can be traced back to the arrival of Arab traders during the tenth century. Since the onset of the twenty-first century, there has been a notable rise in the population of Muslims in Australia, resulting in Islam becoming the second most prevalent religious affiliation in the country, surpassed only by Christianity. Australia, widely recognized as one of the most inclusive nations in terms of diverse identities, cultures, and beliefs, has witnessed the emergence of exclusionary narratives targeting Islam within its political landscape. This phenomenon can be attributed to the occurrence of terrorist acts in recent years. Certain governmental political decisions, motivated by security concerns, have a detrimental impact on the process of democratic consolidation. The post-September 11 anti-terrorism policies have had adverse effects on the Muslim population residing in Western nations. The adverse effects stemming from Islamophobia manifest in a detrimental manner on various economic indicators, including but not limited to unemployment rates, low-income levels, labor market participation, and rates of home ownership. The adverse portrayal of economic indicators presents challenges for the younger Muslim demographic in their assimilation to cultural norms. Australia holds a significant position in the global halal product market, being ranked sixth in terms of halal food exports worldwide. The establishment of the initial interest-free financial institution took place in the year 1989. There exist four distinct organizations that provide halal financing services across various sectors.