Malcolm Turnbull has contrasted his approach to Islam with that of Tony Abbott, extending an olive branch to Muslims by promising to unite rather than divide the community.
The Prime Minister yesterday attended a meeting with the Islamic Council of Victoria, the state's peak Muslim body, which boycotted a scheduled meeting with Mr Abbott when he was prime minister due to his "Team Australia" rhetoric. 
Mr Turnbull promised conciliation and said Muslims were an "integral" part of the community.
He also thanked the council for its efforts in combating extremism. Mr Abbott had said Muslim community leaders were not speaking out enough.
"I want to emphasise to each and every one of you that the Australian Muslim community is respected and valued and we do not consider or talk about or contemplate the Muslim community solely through the prism of security," Mr Turnbull said.
"You are an integral part of an Australian family that is bound together by the shared values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law." Mr Turnbull visited the council's Melbourne headquarters yesterday in response to an invitation issued in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks in   November.
In a letter sent to Mr Turnbull in   November, the council thanked him for his "fresh tone and positive narrative in regards to the threats of terrorism and challenges of extremism" while calling his ascendancy "an important game-changer".
Mr Turnbull read part of the letter at a press conference yesterday in a move that may stoke criticism from MPs loyal to Mr Abbott who claim the former leader was stronger on national security.
The council had accused Mr Abbott of "fearmongering" and said he was ill-informed about the Muslim community.
Earlier in the day, Mr Turnbull became the first prime minister to visit the Islamic Museum of Australia, in Northcote, Melbourne.
He was welcomed by museum patron and Australia Post chief executive Ahmed Fahour.
"This museum was put together for one purpose only, which is to showcase in a very positive way the positive contribution Muslims have made to Australia," Mr Fahour said.Mr Fahour's family donated $4 million to the museum, which was opened by then treasurer Joe Hockey in   March last year.