A latest definition of ‘Islamophobia’ being explored by the federal government could function a de-facto Islamic blasphemy law, that may stoke division and play into the hands of Islamist groups, critics warn.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has confirmed that her department is planning a working group that may establish a non-statutory definition of Islamophobia. The group might be headed by Dominic Grieve, who served as Attorney General under David Cameron’s coalition government.
Rayner claims the brand new definition will help the federal government cope with an apparent rise in anti-Muslim hate crime and help to create a society where “everyone feels secure and welcome”.
Grieve has tried to allay concerns that the brand new definition will infringe on freedom of speech, saying that the aim was to permit Muslims to “feel heard” and have their rights protected while also being “unwavering” in maintaining “freedom of thought and expression under law for all”.
However, former Labour MP and senior fellow at Policy Exchange, Khalid Mahmood expressed his concerns concerning the proposals.
According to The Telegraph, he said the brand new definition “will do nothing to create a society where everyone feels secure and welcome, but moderately result in much more division and mistrust”.
“The term Islamophobia has been weaponised by a few of the most controversial groups which all have a level of affiliation to Muslim Brotherhood and are attempting to exert power and influence inside British Muslim communities. Appointment to this group will give them further legitimacy,” he said.
Mahmood further said that moderately than obsession over a latest definition, motion needed to be taken on tackling poverty and discrimination amongst all, not only Islamic residents in Britain.
Mahmood is notable for being one in all the few Labour MPs to lose their seats in what was otherwise a landslide in 2024. He lost his seat to one in all numerous independent Muslim candidates who campaigned vigorously on the problem of Gaza.
The rise of this independent group has been cited as evidence that Labour is less capable of count an Islamic bloc vote, and as possible motivation for them to court the Muslim vote.
The Islamophobia plans have also been criticised by counter extremism and counter terrorism expert, Haras Rafiq. Rafiq noted that Britain already has strong laws against hate crimes and warned that a broad definition could create a “chilling effect on free speech” and is perhaps “weaponised to silence legitimate debate”.
