A long-awaited definition of Islamophobia is expected within weeks – and a former faith minister is urging the government to adopt it in full.
It is expected that the government will move away from the word “Islamophobia”, instead replacing it with “anti-Muslim hostility”.
But Lord Khan, who oversaw the start of the review into the definition, told Sky News the government must adopt the full new definition to tackle hate against Muslims.
The Labour peer, who was faith minister until the September reshuffle, told Sky News: “I hope it’s a clear definition which reflects the terms of reference which protects people, and it’s clear.
“There’s so many definitions out there, this is an opportunity to address the big problem in our communities.
“I would request and urge the government to adopt the definition which fits within the terms of reference on what we wanted to do when we embarked on the process.
“It’s a strong message to our communities that the work that should be done isn’t being done – these are lived experiences and I am one of those people who has suffered.”
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Chaired by former Conservative minister Dominic Grieve, an independent working group has been looking at whether to produce a new definition of Islamophobia since February as part of a government bid to tackle the rise in hate crimes towards British Muslims.
Its aim was to “define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim”.
From the beginning, ministers have insisted that any new definition would not infringe on freedom of speech, that it would protect the right to criticise, express dislike of, or insult religions and it would not pave the way for blasphemy laws to pass “through the back door”.
In 2021, Labour adopted a working definition of Islamophobia from a cross-party group supported by Wes Streeting, which said: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
This old definition has formed the basis of the Conservatives’ concern with the government’s policy on this new one.
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Tory shadow equalities minister Claire Coutinho told Sky News: “I think we all need to be equal in the law and there is already protection in the law – if you are a victim of violence or harassment based on your religion – those protections are already in place.
“What I deeply worry about is putting one group on a pedestal and giving them special protections because that will only breed resentment.”
When pressed on why other protected groups should have a definition, she said: “With the antisemitism definition, there was an international consensus and it was combating a specific thing, which was Holocaust denial.
“If you look at this definition, it’s based on an earlier version and one of the things it said in 2018 was that even talking about the grooming gangs was a form of anti-Muslim hatred.”
British Muslims say they still face discrimination – and without a specific definition of Islamophobia, crimes can often go underreported. According to multiple monitoring groups, hate crimes have gone up significantly, with Home Office data showing a surge of 20% last year, making Muslims the target in nearly half of religion-based offences.
However, policy groups say the result of adopting a definition could be a “fundamental social and structural change” by the back door, without democratic consent.
The Policy Exchange thinktank claimed that if the government adopts a fixed definition, activists will use it to challenge counter-terrorism laws and undermine the Prevent programme, which aims to steer people away from extremism.
Ministers are set to decide in the coming weeks on what they will adopt in the report and whether it will be published, with Communities Secretary Steve Reed formally making the announcement when that decision is made.
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaks. The department is carefully considering the independent Working Group’s advice on a definition of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia, and no government decisions have been made.
“We will always defend freedom of speech, including fiercely protecting the right to criticise, express dislike of, or insult religions and the beliefs and practices of those who follow them. This will remain at the front of our minds as we review the definition.”
