UK set to step back from Islamophobia law plans, insiders say
As-salamu alaykum - I wanted to share what I’ve been reading and hearing about the UK’s plans on Islamophobia and why it looks like the idea of a new law is losing steam.
From people who say they were in the room at high-level talks, ministers are now worried that pushing a legal definition of Islamophobia could end up reintroducing something like blasphemy laws by the back door. That fear seems to be the main reason for a behind-the-scenes change of heart.
There was pressure to act after reported hate crimes against Muslims in Britain topped 3,000 last year, and the government had publicly promised new protections. But senior figures including Morgan McSweeney, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, and Steve Reed, the Housing and Communities Secretary, are said to have opposed turning a definition into binding law. Downing Street is reportedly backing that view.
Those pushing back say the wording being considered might actually make things worse, helping the hard right stoke anti-Muslim feeling, and might cause confusion for police and prosecutors. One insider said a report ordered by Mr Reed changed the official approach - not just watered it down, but reshaped it - because ministers don’t want to create limits on criticizing religion.
Former government advisers like Lord Walney have warned that labelling a law as “Islamophobia” would be a mistake and may not effectively tackle real anti-Muslim hatred. A review set up last year asked Dominic Grieve to lead a panel to try to find a working definition that reflected the views of British Muslims, but that process now seems in flux.
At the Labour conference Mr Reed made clear that protecting free speech was a priority and that people must be free to “criticise or even mock” religion - again stressing they won’t introduce blasphemy laws by any other name.
There’s a widely cited 2019 definition from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims describing Islamophobia as a form of racism targeting expressions or perceived expressions of Muslimness and as inciting hatred or violence. The government already has a Code of Conduct that uses similar language.
Some Muslim politicians and campaigners are alarmed. MP Shockat Adam warned of deep anxiety in the Muslim community and urged protective measures, while he and Baroness Warsi have been talking about concerns that the definition is being watered down or dropped. Two new hate-crime units are reportedly being launched - one by government and another by the Muslim Women Network.
The Muslim World League has also said it isn’t in favour of the kind of Islamophobia law being discussed and wants to work on fighting prejudice and hatred in other ways. There are also accusations floating around about certain party influences, including claims of Muslim Brotherhood lines affecting parts of the debate.
Others argue legislation could still be written to protect Muslims while preserving legitimate criticism of religion, but for now the government seems to be moving away from seeking a standalone Islamophobia law. Officials say the focus is on protecting people, not religions, and that free speech - the right to criticise or insult religion - will remain protected as they review any definition.
I know this topic worries many of us in the community, so I thought I’d share this update. May Allah protect our communities and guide leaders to fair solutions.
https://www.thenationalnews.co