Islamophobia definition threatens free speech – claim

It has emerged that senior Labour Party members have instructed Labour council leaders to adopt a wide-ranging definition of Islamophobia – a definition likened to an ‘Islamic blasphemy code’. Christian Concern has claimed that if Labour takes power, discussion and criticism of Islam would be prohibited across the UK.

The July 2021 letter reveals Labour’s determination to implement recommendations set out in a report from the Labour Muslim Network. This included the adoption, by all Labour councils, of the definition of Islamophobia proposed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims.

It defines Islamophobia as ‘rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness’. The definition could capture all the different forms of Islamophobia that may otherwise go unnoticed – including socio-political and economic exclusion.

Tim Dieppe, head of public policy at Christian Concern, said: ‘It is very concerning that the APPG definition of Islamophobia has been adopted by mainstream political parties such as the Labour Party.

‘The effect of this definition is to prohibit criticism of Islam as a religion which effectively creates an Islamic blasphemy code. If someone criticises Muhammad or some Islamic teaching they could be accused of Islamophobia.’

In May this year Labour ran 6,417 councils in the UK (more than any other political party). According to a Civitas report published in September, one in seven local authorities has already adopted the APPG definition.

The Conservative government has consistently refused to accept the definition over free-speech concerns and wider criticisms that it is not ‘fit for purpose’. However, the Labour Party has indicated its intention to introduce a Race Equality Act if it obtains power.

Dieppe said: ‘This means that it is very likely that the APPG definition will be incorporated into the Race Equality Act as law. No Labour MP could object since to do so would be in breach of the Labour Party Code of Conduct with incorporates the APPG definition.’

He warned that discussion and criticism of Islam would then be prohibited across the country and added: ‘Already, discussion about Islam is stifled by accusations of Islamophobia. If this becomes law Islam will have protected status free from criticism in our country on pain of criminal sanction.

‘Even saying “Muhammad is a false prophet” could be deemed Islamophobic. We must pray and hope that this is not what happens and speak out while we still can.’

Many non-Labour councils and other organisations and institutions have also adopted the APPG definition, including the Mayor of London, the Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and several universities.