Three in four Muslim healthcare workers surveyed experienced religious discrimination

Personal Experience Highlights Broader Issue

Dr. Noor Suhana Mohd experienced a traumatic incident early in her general practitioner training when a patient became angry and directed racial and Islamophobic slurs at her, declaring he didn’t have to listen to a Muslim. The encounter left her in “fight or flight mode,” shaken her confidence, and negatively impacted her mental health – an experience that occurred nearly a decade ago but continues to affect her.

Research Reveals Widespread Discrimination

A comprehensive study has revealed that Dr. Mohd’s experience represents a broader pattern, with three-quarters of Muslim healthcare workers surveyed reporting discrimination based on their religious beliefs. Researchers characterize this as a “hidden crisis” within Australia’s healthcare workforce.

Study Methodology and Scope

The research, conducted in 2024 as an anonymous cross-sectional study, was led by academics from Federation University Australia, University of Sydney, University of Notre Dame Australia, and Western Sydney University, partnering with the Australian Islamic Medical Association. The study included 358 healthcare professionals nationwide, with 85% identifying as Muslim and 83% as members of culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Disproportionate Impact on Muslim Women

The study identified Muslim women as particularly affected by Islamophobia, facing “additional layers of discrimination related to gender, religious identity, and physical appearance.” Dr. Mohd, who serves as vice president of the Australian Islamic Medical Association, noted that being a visibly Muslim woman in healthcare means constantly navigating judgment from patients and peers, despite often being among the most trusted providers for marginalized patients.

Broader Healthcare Implications

The discrimination threatens healthcare services, especially in regional and remote areas where Muslim healthcare professionals may be among the few available providers. Associate Professor Justin Brown warned that losing these dedicated professionals to burnout, discrimination, or disengagement would most severely impact patients in areas with limited healthcare options.

Rising Islamophobia Context

The Australian Islamic Medical Association, representing over 1,000 members, reported a sharp increase in Islamophobia following recent geopolitical events, particularly the ongoing Gaza conflict. According to the Islamophobia Register Australia, incidents of assaults, abuse, and threats increased significantly between January 2023 and November 2024, with Muslim women and girls targeted in 60% of physical assaults and 79% of verbal assaults.

Call for Industry Action

Dr. Mohd emphasized the contradiction of healthcare workers facing discrimination while providing non-discriminatory care to patients. She advocated for raising awareness and offering confidential mental health support to affected healthcare workers who may be reluctant to speak up due to stigma or fear of repercussions.

Urgent Need for Reform

Study authors urged healthcare leaders, hospital administrators, and policymakers to implement necessary changes from within the industry. Professor Muhammad Aziz Rahman warned that without action, the healthcare sector risks fostering hatred and disharmony in multicultural society, preventing healthcare professionals from reaching their full potential and potentially compromising patient care quality.

Original Article:

Chamas, Z. (2025, July 15). Doctors face Islamophobia in Australian healthcare ‘crisis’, research shows. ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-11/hiddencrisis-muslim-healthcare-workers-face-discrimination-/105263328