This chapter provides the contextual and historical backdrop for the study of Muslim Community Organisations (MCOs) in Australia. It outlines the development of Islamophobia in the West and in Australia, tracing its evolution from early colonial discourses and Orientalist representations to the securitised context following 9/11. The chapter situates Islamophobia within the recalibration of multicultural policies and the emergence of national security frameworks that shape the experiences of Muslim communities. It then maps the formation and growth of MCOs in Australia, from their early role in offering religious and settlement support to their increasing involvement in civil society and community development. The chapter also details the shifting expectations placed on MCOs by state actors, particularly in the context of counter-extremism and social cohesion agendas. Finally, it outlines the empirical basis of the research, introducing the 25 MCOs that participated in the study and the methodological approach adopted for their selection and interview. This background establishes the foundation for subsequent chapters, which examine the agency of MCOs in responding to Islamophobia.