For Muslim Australians with roots in the subcontinent, a new case over online posts strikes close to home.
Islamophobia touches Muslim Australians of every background. For families with roots in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Myanmar, it often arrives online, carrying the tensions of their homelands into their newsfeeds and group chats here. This week, a Muslim advocacy group took that concern to the Federal Court.
The Alliance Against Islamophobia (AAI) alleges that the Hindu Council of Australia and senior council figures engaged in unlawful racial discrimination against Muslims through online posts and speeches since September 2024.
The case was reported in The Nightly, a free national digital newspaper launched by Seven West Media in 2024 and published every weekday evening.
According to court documents reported by Australian Associated Press, AAI claims the material included posts from overseas far-right figures, and that some drew comments portraying Indian Muslims as inherently criminal.
AAI first complained to the Australian Human Rights Commission in August 2025, and turned to the court after conciliation failed.
The Hindu Council, which says it represents more than 650,000 Australians, will contest the case and disagrees with how the alleged facts have been characterised. No defence has been filed and no hearing date has been set.
This is not AAI’s first action involving Hindu organisations. Much of its publicised legal work focuses on Hindu groups and figures it accuses of Islamophobia, including complaints it says it has lodged against Multicultural NSW and Parramatta Council.
AAI has also complained about remarks by former opposition leader Peter Dutton, and has challenged cinemas over a film it says vilifies Muslims.
Minaret Media applauds AAI for its stance.
Discrimination laws mean little if no one is prepared to test them, and a Federal Court case takes money, time and nerve.
The allegations have not been tested in court, and the council is entitled to defend itself.
Minaret Media will follow the case as it proceeds.
Details of the allegations in this article are drawn from court documents as reported by AAP.
Feature image source: The Muslim Sunrise.
