Labour is considering adopting a controversial definition of Islamophobia – despite warnings it could harm free speech, according to The Telegraph.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner, his deputy, are weighing up a “range of views” about whether to introduce an agreed description of anti-Muslim prejudice. The report continues:
A definition of Islamophobia would not be legally binding but organisations would be urged to adopt in a similar way to the anti-Semitism definition accepted under Theresa May in 2016.
Campaigners say the concept must be clearly codified amid rising prejudice towards Muslims, including attacks targeted at mosques in the wake of the Southport killings last week.
Critics fear it could amount to a “blasphemy law” and senior Conservatives have insisted it must not be allowed to stifle legitimate criticism of Islam.
In opposition, Labour supported the adoption of a definition of Islamophobia, drawn up by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, while Wes Streeting – now the Health Secretary – was its chairman.
The definition states: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
Ms Rayner’s department, the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, said it was committed to tackling all forms of hatred “including Islamophobia”.
Asked if it will adopt a working definition, it said: “We will take into account a range of views and outline any updates on the Government’s position in relation to this in due course.”
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism, which was accepted in 2016, is used by police forces, judges and private companies.
Labour has already accepted the APPG on British Muslims’ definition internally.
It also has the backing of the Liberal Democrats – although was opposed by the Tories in government.
In February, Kemi Badenoch, the shadow communities secretary, said the term “anti-Muslim hatred” was more appropriate to both religious freedom and the freedom to criticise religion.
Responding to the wording accepted by Labour, Mrs Badenoch added: “The definition of ‘Islamophobia’ [they use] creates a blasphemy law via the back door if adopted.”
She went on to insist the language of “anti-Muslim hatred” was both “more precise and better reflects the UK’s law”.
There has also been criticism that the suggested definition of Islamophobia is so broad that it would be difficult to enforce in practice.
Worth reading in full.
In a recent research briefing for the FSU, Tim Dieppe, the Head of Public Policy at Christian Concern, said he believes that any attempt to define ‘Islamophobia’ and punish those responsible for it, whether by cancelling them or changing the law to make ‘Islamophobia’ a ‘hate crime’, would have a chilling effect on free speech.
That is particularly true of the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslim’s definition, which, among other things, means anyone who disputes Hamas’s description of Israel’s military operation in Gaza as a ‘genocide’ is guilty of ‘Islamophobia’ and, by extension, of ‘racism’. It is not ‘racist’ to dispute that claim, any more than it is ‘racist’ to criticise the religion of Islam or to acknowledge that the history of Islam involves spreading the religion by the sword and subjugating non-Muslims. We should continue to be vigilant against anti-Muslim hatred, but consign the word ‘Islamophobia’ to the dustbin of history.
You can read Tim’s research briefing – Banning Islamophobia: Blasphemy Law by the Backdoor – by clicking here.
