Islamophobic incidents in South Australia have reached record levels, with Muslim women facing the highest levels of harassment and violence. Community leaders say fear is growing amid rising global tensions and a lack of strong legal protections.
A new report released by the Islamic Society of South Australia found a sharp increase in anti-Muslim incidents in recent years, with 2026 on track to surpass last year’s record numbers. Reported incidents include verbal abuse, online harassment, physical assaults, and intimidation in public spaces.
According to the report, only two Islamophobic incidents were recorded in 2022. By 2025, that number had risen to 41. Cases included eggs being thrown at a young Muslim woman near a bus stop and an Arab man being spat on and verbally abused.
Most incidents occurred in busy public areas such as shopping centers, schools, and public transportation hubs, while nearly one-quarter took place online. Adelaide’s central business district was identified as the most affected area.
The report also found that Muslim women who wear hijabs or niqabs are more likely to be targeted because they are more visibly identifiable. Community leaders linked the rise in anti-Muslim hate to ongoing global conflicts, including the war in Gaza.
South Australia currently does not have standalone hate crime legislation. While judges can consider racial hatred during sentencing under existing laws, human rights advocates say there is still no adequate system to specifically address anti-Muslim hate incidents.
The report urges the government and police to establish a dedicated Islamophobia reporting system, expand victim support services, and strengthen security measures in high-risk areas.
You can read the full report and detailed findings here:
