Labour tears up Islamophobia definition
Party adopts new wording to define ‘anti-Muslim hate’
JANET EASTHAM, NICK GUTTERIDGE
Labour has torn up its definition of Islamophobia amid fears it could threaten free speech.
A party working group has drawn up new wording that will replace the controversial definition it adopted in 2019, substituting the term “Islamophobia” with “anti-Muslim hate”.
Crucially, it will remove all references to “Muslimness”, The Telegraph can reveal.
In opposition, the Labour Party incorporated a definition of Islamophobia into its code of conduct for party members.
It stated: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
But critics feared the wording, drawn up by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims, was too broad and could amount to a “blasphemy law”.
A source familiar with a review of the definition, led by Dominic Grieve, the former Conservative minister, confirmed that neither “Islamophobia” nor “Muslimness” appeared in the new version, now before ministers.
It is understood the new wording has been drafted with an aim of clearly defining hatred towards Muslims, while protecting free speech.
The wording appears to be an attempt to reassure those who feared an official definition could restrict discussion of Islamist extremism and curtail legitimate criticism of Islam.
Process ‘characterised by secrecy’
The new definition has been submitted to Steve Reed, the Communities Secretary, for a final decision.
Mr Reed previously told the Telegraph he would reject any wording curbing free expression, saying: “I’m not going to bring in blasphemy laws by the back door”.
Claire Coutinho MP, the shadow minister for equalities, said: “In the weeks after an Islamic terror attack that saw two Jewish people killed, and just after Muslim Vote MPs campaigned to ban Israeli football fans from Aston Villa, we need to acknowledge that this definition risks having a chilling impact on our public sector bodies at exactly the wrong time.
“The whole process has been characterised by secrecy. They’ve tried to cook this up behind closed doors with radical activists, some of whom previously said that even talking about the grooming gangs was an example of anti-Muslim racism. They must publish this proposed definition and the responses from the public consultation they were forced into.
“Anti-Muslim hatred, like any form of hate, has no place in Britain. However, we cannot silence legitimate debate.”
The Telegraph; continue reading
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