Government: Islamophobia definition “not in line” with Equality Act

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) definition of 'Islamophobia' is "not in line with the Equality Act 2010", the Government has said.

The news comes in a letter from Government faith minister Wajid Khan (pictured) to the Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO).

The flawed definition, which describes Islamophobia as a "type of racism", has long been opposed by free speech campaigners, including the NSO and the National Secular Society.

Both organisations recently wrote to the Government expressing concerns over the definition.

The Government has been under increased pressure from Islamic groups to adopt the definition in the wake of recent right wing riots, which targeted Muslims and mosques.

But the NSS has said adopting an 'Islamophobia' definition will "inflame, rather than dispel, community tensions and division".

The definition has been widely adopted by British political parties, including the Labour Party, but not the Government.

Faith minister: Freedom of speech is "incredibly important"

In his letter, Khan noted the Equality Act "defines race in terms of colour, nationality and national or ethnic origins". By contrast, Islam is a religion which anyone, regardless of race, can adhere to.

Freedom of speech is "incredibly important", he said, and the Government's approach to tackling religious hatred would "never inhibit the lawful right to freedom of expression".

The definition describes Islamophobia as targeting "expressions of Muslimness". Campaigners have argued this would muzzle criticism of misogyny, homophobia and extremism evident in some forms of Islam.

Extremist preacher Haitham al-Haddad recently claimed the "Islamophobic media" had "brainwashed" people about women's rights in Afghanistan under the Taliban.

Mohammed Siddiqui, an ex-doctor who is on trial for child cruelty perpetrated in the course of Islamic circumcisions, claims his prosecution is a result of Islamophobia.

The APPG lists the claim that Islam has been spread "by the sword" as an example of Islamophobia.

NSS: 'Flawed definition would threaten freedom to criticise religion'

The National Secular Society's human rights lead Alejandro Sanchez said: "Anti-Muslim bigotry is reprehensible and should be universally condemned.

"But adopting this flawed definition of Islamophobia would exacerbate community tensions and threaten the freedom to criticise religion.

"We welcome the Government's recognition that the definition is incompatible with equality law. We hope they will stand by their commitment to protect freedom of expression by abandoning any plans to adopt this definition."

Media coverage:

Labour backs down on Islamophobia definition (The Telegraph)