The man appointed by the Albanese government to work to prevent hatred against Muslim Australians says Islamophobia and anti-Semitism are "not mutually exclusive".
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"Where there is one, you most likely will find the other, lurking," Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia Aftab Malik said.
"As such, I look forward to engaging with my counterpart, [Special Envoy to Combat anti-Semitism] Jillian Segal, to share insights and exchange ideas how we can fortify social cohesion, and bring our communities together on a common ground, rooted in dignity for all."
Mr Aftab is a global expert on Muslim affairs who has spent almost a decade working in the NSW Premier's Department, promoting social cohesion and countering hate and extremism.
Mr Albanese announced his appointment to the newly-created role on Monday, after months of speculation during a lengthy recruitment process.
Mr Aftab will commence in the role, which reports to the Prime Minister and Home Affairs, Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Minister Tony Burke, on 14 October for a three-year term.
Mr Albanese first flagged his intention to appoint a Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia in early July, when he announced Ms Segal's appointment in response to calls from the nation's Jewish community to address rising anti-Semitism and social divisions over the Middle East war.
The government has said that the appointment of Ms Segal, a prominent Jewish lawyer and businesswoman, had been fast-tracked so that she could attend an international conference in mid-July.
Mr Malik said promoting social cohesion and combating hate in Australia was "more important today than it's ever been".
"I don't intend to use this role to advocate that one form of hatred is more important than another," he said.
"Both antisemitism and Islamophobia are unacceptable ... I look forward to working with Muslim leaders and the broader community to promote peace, understanding and inclusivity."
Mr Burke is facing a challenge in his Western Sydney seat of Watson, which is being targeted by the teal-style Muslim Vote movement at the next federal election.
He said while announcing the Anti-Islamophobia Envoy's appointment: "Bigotry is always wrong. You should be able to live safely and freely in Australia, regardless of who you are or what you believe."
Mr Malik's appointment is intended to address the breakdown in social cohesion amid heightened community concerns about the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict, which has affected communities across Australia.
On Monday, thousands of protesters took to the streets in Sydney and Melbourne to protest Israel's attacks on Lebanon, which it says are in retaliation for rocket attacks on northern Israel, calling for a ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon.
The Coalition has called for protesters seen waving Hezbollah flags to be arrested and charged, prompting Opposition leader Peter Dutton to demand new legislation after the Australian Federal Police said that no existing law had been broken.
Mr Malik called on community members to do their part to put an end to violence and hatred.
"We can do this by valuing and strengthening the bonds between us and by calling out discrimination and being allies to those who experience it," he said.
