A brand new definition of ‘Islamophobia’ being explored by the federal government may function a de-facto Islamic blasphemy legislation, that may stoke division and play into the arms of Islamist teams, critics warn.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has confirmed that her division is planning a working group that may set up a non-statutory definition of Islamophobia. The group might be headed by Dominic Grieve, who served as Legal professional Normal beneath David Cameron’s coalition authorities.
Rayner claims the brand new definition will assist the federal government take care of an obvious rise in anti-Muslim hate crime and assist to create a society the place “everybody feels secure and welcome”.
Grieve has tried to allay issues that the brand new definition will infringe on freedom of speech, saying that the purpose was to permit Muslims to “really feel heard” and have their rights protected whereas additionally being “unwavering” in sustaining “freedom of thought and expression beneath legislation for all”.
Nevertheless, former Labour MP and senior fellow at Coverage Change, Khalid Mahmood expressed his issues concerning the proposals.
In keeping with The Telegraph, he mentioned the brand new definition “will do nothing to create a society the place everybody feels secure and welcome, however quite result in much more division and distrust”.
“The time period Islamophobia has been weaponised by among the most controversial teams which all have a level of affiliation to Muslim Brotherhood and try to exert energy and affect inside British Muslim communities. Appointment to this group will give them additional legitimacy,” he mentioned.
Mahmood additional mentioned that quite than obsession over a brand new definition, motion wanted to be taken on tackling poverty and discrimination amongst all, not simply Islamic residents in Britain.
Mahmood is notable for being one of many few Labour MPs to lose their seats in what was in any other case a landslide in 2024. He misplaced his seat to one in every of a variety of impartial Muslim candidates who campaigned vigorously on the difficulty of Gaza.
The rise of this impartial group has been cited as proof that Labour is much less capable of depend an Islamic bloc vote, and as potential motivation for them to courtroom the Muslim vote.
The Islamophobia plans have additionally been criticised by counter extremism and counter terrorism skilled, Haras Rafiq. Rafiq famous that Britain already has sturdy laws in opposition to hate crimes and warned {that a} broad definition may create a “chilling impact on free speech” and is perhaps “weaponised to silence legit debate”.
