"The proposed official definition of anti-Muslim hostility that does not address Islamophobia is dangerously inadequate. In February, the United Kingdom government appointed a working group to provide a definition of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia, which should have completed its work by the end of August. In the summer, Conservative MP Nick Timothy and a phalanx of like-minded groups waged a campaign against any such definition, which they argued would stymie free speech for those who wish to criticise Islam."
"Since then, the government has been cowed into silence and delay. Last week, the BBC published a report suggesting that the definition will not use the word Islamophobia at all, opting instead for anti-Muslim hostility. This is a mistake; hatred of Islam lies at the very heart of racism towards Muslims. And while the British state fails to even name Islamophobia, Muslims face an unprecedented level of danger."
The UK government's proposed definition of anti-Muslim hostility omits the term Islamophobia and is therefore inadequate to confront hatred toward Muslims. A working group appointed in February to define anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia has been stalled after a summer campaign by Conservative MP Nick Timothy and allied groups claiming such a definition would curb criticism of Islam. A BBC report indicates the government may adopt the phrase "anti-Muslim hostility" instead of Islamophobia. Reported anti-Muslim incidents were already high (3,432 in England and Wales before October 7, 2023) and rose 13% to March 2024 and a further 19% to March 2025, excluding London. Outside London, 44% of religious hate crimes targeted Muslims while Muslims faced higher rates of assault, stalking, and harassment; summer 2024 mob violence targeted mosques following the Southport murders.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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