'Religion-phobia' definitions must be avoided, NSS warns Government

The Government must ensure freedom to criticise religion is preserved in efforts to counter far-right extremism, the National Secular Society has said.

The NSS has written to Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, warning that adopting a definition of 'Islamophobia' could threaten free speech around religion.

Its letter follows reports that the Government is engaging with stakeholders in support of adopting a controversial 'Islamophobia' definition in the wake of recent attacks on mosques and Muslims by far-right rioters.

"We deplore this violence and welcome efforts to protect people and places of worship, as well as hold perpetrators to justice," the NSS said.

"However, we believe adopting an 'Islamophobia' definition will inflame, rather than dispel, community tensions and division."

Islamophobia definition risks "creating a blasphemy law via the backdoor"

While in opposition, the Labour Party adopted a definition of 'Islamophobia' by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims. The definition says 'Islamophobia' is "a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness".

The definition has been criticised by free speech campaigners, including the NSS, because its vague wording leaves room for misinterpretation and misuse.

A report published in April, which was co-authored by former Labour MP Khalid Mahmood, outlined how the definition has already been used to silence those accused of offending Islamic sensibilities. Introducing the report, former home secretary Sajid Javid argued adopting the definition would "risk creating a blasphemy law via the backdoor".

The previous Conservative Government decided against adopting the definition due to concerns about its potential to undermine free speech and conflict with the Equality Act 2010, which defines race in terms of colour, nationality and national or ethnic origins.

Laws already exist to protect Muslims and other religion or belief groups from hate crime. The Equality Act protects people from discrimination or harassment based on their religion or belief, while the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 gives higher penalties for religiously aggravated offences.

Pressure to adopt other 'religion-phobia' definitions

In its letter, the NSS said adopting an 'Islamophobia' definition could undermine the right of those oppressed by fundamentalist religion to speak out, including women, LGBT people, and those who hold different religion and beliefs.

It also warned that adopting the definition will "increase pressure" on the Government to adopt other 'religion-phobia' definitions.

It highlighted how a "Hindu manifesto" published by a coalition of Hindu groups before the 2024 General Election called for 'Hinduphobia' to be criminalised.

The NSS said adopting "religion-phobia" definitions will not only threaten free speech around religion, but also "fuel the kind of sectarian tensions which underpinned the 2022 Leicester riots". The Leicester riots were rooted in tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities.

The NSS added that silencing speech around religion "will also contribute to the paranoia and 'grievance narratives' which are exploited by the far-right".

NSS: Definition would "fuel far-right paranoia" and "aggravate sectarian grievances"

NSS chief executive Stephen Evans said: "It is vital to address discrimination, prejudice and hatred against Muslims.

"But adopting a definition of 'Islamophobia' that undermines the right to speak freely about religion will be counterproductive in these efforts.

"It will instead fuel far-right paranoia, aggravate sectarian grievances, and prevent those harmed by religion from speaking out against their oppression.

"There is much work to be done to heal divisions in our communities – including improving social cohesion between people from all religions and beliefs. We hope the Government will recognise that adopting a definition of 'Islamophobia', or other definitions targeting speech about religion, is not the answer."