Australia prides itself on being a multicultural society, but Muslims have historically struggled to earn acceptance in mainstream society.
The first Muslims to make a significant impact in Australia were the cameleers who arrived in the 1830s. The camels they led played a vital role in accessing the arid interior of the wide brown land and were integral to the development of the nation’s agriculture industry. Muslims now migrate to Australia from all over the world and live in cities and remote and regional towns.
Why haven’t they won acceptance from mainstream Australians?
Is it bigotry?
Bigotry is strong in Australia, and the recent surge in support for popularist, right-wing political party One Nation demonstrates increasing confidence in expressing that bigotry. But this is not the reason.
Is it culture?
Islamic practices such as abstaining from alcohol and dressing modestly clash with everyday Australian life. Aussies love a beer, and Australian women grow up wearing bikinis in summer, while their Muslim counterparts are usually required to cover their bodies, even on a trip to the beach. But culture is not the reason.
Is it the treatment of women?
Most Australians believe women are mistreated in Islamic society, that they are second class citizens. Women are also mistreated in mainstream Australian society – the gender pay gap and gender-based violence are modern realities. Gender is not the reason.
Is it the call to prayer?
A Sydney mosque recently applied for permission to broadcast the Friday call to prayer from its minarets, and this would have caused conflict in the surrounding suburbs. But the application was rejected, so this isn’t the reason.
So, why haven’t Muslims been accepted by mainstream Australians?
Dogs.
Australia is obsessed with dogs.
Nearly half of Australian households own at least one dog and there are 7.3 million pet dogs across the nation. Caring for these pets cost owners more than 20 million dollars in 2025, which equates to about $2,500 per dog-owning household. And even though 9,691 Australians were hospitalised due to dog bites in 2023–24, dogs are still a big part of daily life.
Dogs have colonised every public space. They dominate local parks, BBQ and picnic areas, playgrounds, beaches, cafes and even spaces like libraries, offices and schools. Yes, that’s right, schools bring in dogs to calm students with (apparent) anxiety, and students can read to dogs to overcome their (apparent) reading difficulties.
Dogs are even allowed on public transport and planes. Increasing numbers of dogs can be seen on buses and trains, and domestic airline Virgin recently allowed owners to bring their pet dogs onboard with them; not just seeing eye dogs or therapy dogs – pet dogs.
Australia is obsessed with dogs.
Suburban dog parks are so crowded they often have to be divided into big and small dog areas, and many beaches now have designated off-leash dog areas. Some public spaces remain officially off limits to dogs, but many owners ignore these rules – with total impunity.
The country’s obsession with dogs does not end there. Owners can treat their pet to a dog massage, and can send them to a dog psychologist (yes, it’s true). Furthermore, it’s almost impossible to see a commercial for any product in Australia that doesn’t feature a dog.
So, why are dogs preventing Muslims from integrating into Australia?
Because Muslims are discouraged from touching dogs.
The main reason Muslims avoid dogs is related to ritual purity (taharah). The Prophet Muhammad said that if a dog licks a vessel, it must be washed multiple times (Sahih Muslim). Muslims living according to the central tenets of their faith will not keep dogs as pets and will avoid touching or interacting with them in public or private spaces.
Consequently, unless a Muslim is willing to compromise and dilute their religious habits, they will never earn acceptance in a country obsessed with dogs.
