DFAT slammed for sponsoring Islamic fashion by Tony Abbott

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been slammed for its decision to sponsor the ‘modest fashion’ industry including the hijab and burqa.

DFAT promoted an Australian-made Islamic clothing exhibition this month, describing the invention of the burqini swimsuit as ‘ground-breaking’. 

Former prime minister Tony Abbott slammed the promotion on Monday, and questioned bureaucrats ‘very unfortunate readiness’ to shut out Australian values. 

‘The rise of the ‘hijabista’ presents valuable opportunities for Australia. Apart from the obvious economic benefits, the emerging modest fashion market can help advance Australia’s public diplomacy objectives,’ DFAT said 

Mr Abbott said he was ‘flabbergasted’ DFAT chose to sponsor Australian-made ‘modest fashion’. 

He urged DFAT, a taxpayer-funded department, to drop its support for the fashion event and focus its energies on ‘mainstream Australia’.

In its promotion, DFAT praised the ‘booming’ modest fashion market saying it ‘ beautifully showcased Australia’s contemporary and inclusive society’. 

‘The rise of the ‘hijabista’ presents valuable opportunities for Australia. Apart from the obvious economic benefits, the emerging modest fashion market can help advance Australia’s public diplomacy objectives,’ DFAT said.  

Muslim women’s Style in Australia was described as ‘faith, fashion and fusion’.

Ilham A Ismail (left) is a brand targeting the emerging market of Muslim woman living in western countries. (Tony Abbott pictured right)