The UK government announced on Friday the launch of a new review aimed at establishing a clear, working definition of Islamophobia, amid growing concerns over record-high anti-Muslim hate crimes in 2024. Former Conservative Party attorney general Dominic Grieve will lead this review, providing his extensive legal and governmental expertise to the Labour-led administration.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who also serves as Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), highlighted the urgency of addressing anti-Muslim hatred. "The rise in anti-Muslim hate crime is unacceptable and has no place in our society," said Rayner, adding, "We've committed to defining anti-Muslim hatred or Islamophobia as a crucial step forward in tackling it and creating a society where everyone feels safe and welcome."
Dominic Grieve to Lead Six-Month Review
Dominic Grieve, tasked with chairing the newly established working group, emphasized the complexity and sensitivity involved in defining Islamophobia. "We know Islamophobia is as challenging to define as its existence is undoubted," Grieve stated. He stressed the importance of balancing the lived experiences of British Muslims against the fundamental rights to freedom of thought and expression protected under UK law."I welcome the government’s decision to bring forward this needed work and I am hopeful that this commission will come up with principles in defining Islamophobia which are compatible with those requirements and can thus help support positive change in our country," Grieve remarked.
Non-Statutory Definition to Guide Government Action
According to MHCLG officials, the working group's proposed definition of Islamophobia will be non-statutory, aimed at providing guidance for government bodies and institutions on recognizing unacceptable treatment and prejudice against Muslim communities. This definition is expected to account for diverse backgrounds and experiences within the UK's Muslim population.The ministry also clarified that the definition must not infringe upon citizens' freedom of speech, explicitly stating it will respect the rights of individuals to criticize or express disagreement with religions, their beliefs, or practices.
Concerns Raised by Other Religious Groups
Despite broad support, the government's decision to specifically define Islamophobia has sparked concerns from other religious communities about a potential imbalance. Organizations representing Hindus and Sikhs have voiced apprehensions regarding the selective focus on Islamophobia, warning of implications for free speech and historical discourse.The Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO) UK previously cautioned the government about potential consequences on freedom of speech, particularly regarding open discussions on historical events and persecution faced by minority communities. "The government is deliberately promoting a two-tier hierarchy when it comes to religions. Christians, Sikhs, Hindus or Buddhists don’t have special hate crime definitions endorsed by the government," noted the NSO in a recent statement.
Dipen Rajyaguru, Director of Diversity & Equality at the Hindu Council UK, echoed similar sentiments, expressing concerns that such a selective approach "disregards historical injustices, threats, and discrimination faced by Hindus and other communities."
Community organization INSIGHT UK has also urged the government to adopt a broader, inclusive approach to combating religious hate, including anti-Hindu sentiment, to ensure comprehensive protection against all forms of religious discrimination.
Previous Efforts and Current Expectations
This latest initiative follows a stalled attempt in 2019 by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims, which had proposed a definition of Islamophobia. However, the proposal was shelved by the Conservative government at that time due to disagreements over its scope and potential implications.With Grieve's working group set to deliver a working definition within six months, expectations are high that this latest effort will successfully balance addressing anti-Muslim prejudice while safeguarding the fundamental British value of free speech.
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