Ministers Consider Softening Definition of Islamophobia Amid Concerns about Free Speech

Strategic Insights -

Ministers are set to redefine Islamophobia, potentially removing references to "Muslimness" and focusing instead on anti-Muslim hatred, amid warnings that introducing an anti-blasphemy law could curb free speech. The Labour Party's original definition, introduced in 2019, described Islamophobia as "rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness". A reworded definition is being reviewed by Communities Secretary Steve Reed, with no timescale for a decision, sparking concerns among opposition MPs about Labour's manifesto commitment to create a new definition.

Key Takeaways:

  • The government's working group on Islamophobia, led by former Tory minister Dominic Grieve, is set to reword the definition to focus on anti-Muslim hatred, rather than "Muslimness".
  • The reworded definition may remove references to "Muslimness" and "Islamophobia", potentially softening the official definition.
  • The Labour Party's original definition of Islamophobia, introduced in 2019, specifically targeted expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.
  • The government's redefinition of Islamophobia has been welcomed by Nick Timothy, a Tory whip, who believes it will help combat hatred towards Muslims without curbing free speech.
  • The reworded definition is being reviewed by Communities Secretary Steve Reed, with no timescale for a decision.

Statistics:

  • 4 boys were charged with damaging a Quran in 2023 outside a Wakefield school (The Times).
  • Labour's definition of Islamophobia, introduced in 2019, specifically targeted expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.

Sources:

  • The Sunday Telegraph
  • The Times
  • [No explicit date provided for The Times article, but dated 2023 in the source text]