The UK's Labour government could change its proposed definition of Islamophobia over concerns it is “not in line” with equality laws and may impinge on free speech.
The party is under pressure to publish its definition of Islamophobia in an effort to tackle hate crimes after parts of the UK were rocked by race riots during the summer.
Minister for Faith, Communities and Resettlement, Lord Khan of Burnley, told peers this month he would update the definition “shortly”.
The party had adopted the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims' definition of Islamophobia into its code of conduct in 2019.
But in a letter to Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO), seen by The Daily Telegraph, Lord Khan said the APPG’s definition “is not in line with the Equality Act 2010, which defines race in terms of colour, nationality and national or ethnic origins”, and said ministers were approaching the issue in a “more holistic” way.
“We want to ensure that any definition comprehensively reflects multiple perspectives and implications for different communities,” he wrote, according to the newspaper.
“This government is actively considering our approach to tackling Islamophobia through a more holistic lens and will provide further information on this in due course. More appropriately, the Equality Act 2010 provides protection from discrimination, harassment or victimisation to anyone with a religious belief, as well as to those who lack a religion or belief, subject to certain exceptions.
“A person who experiences Islamophobia from their employer or when accessing goods and services may be able to bring a case of religious discrimination or harassment to an employment tribunal or other civil court.”
The NSO has raised concerns that the definition had already been adopted by the party and feared it would have serious implications on free speech, not least the ability to discuss historical truths.
Campaigners have complained that the APPG's definition is too broad.
Presently the definition states: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
Concerns have been raised that the present definition could allow terrorism suspects to challenge investigations in law on the basis that those investigations are Islamophobic and could prevent legitimate criticism of Muslims.
A government spokesman said any new definition must be given “careful consideration” to ensure it “comprehensively covers multiple perspectives and considers potential implications for different communities”.
Last month, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper pledged action against people “pushing harmful and hateful beliefs” and a new approach to fighting extremism, after a wave of far-right riots in England and Northern Ireland in which mosques were attacked.
THE SPECS
Cadillac XT6 2020 Premium Luxury
Engine: 3.6L V-6
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 310hp
Torque: 367Nm
Price: Dh280,000
Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years
%3Cp%3E1984%20-%20Apple%20unveiled%20the%20Macintosh%20on%20January%2024%3Cbr%3E1985%20-%20Steve%20Jobs%20departed%20from%20Apple%20and%20established%20NeXT%3Cbr%3E1986%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20Macintosh%20Plus%2C%20featuring%20enhanced%20memory%3Cbr%3E1987%20-%20Apple%20launched%20the%20Macintosh%20II%2C%20equipped%20with%20colour%20capabilities%3Cbr%3E1989%20-%20The%20widely%20acclaimed%20Macintosh%20SE%2F30%20made%20its%20debut%3Cbr%3E1994%20-%20Apple%20presented%20the%20Power%20Macintosh%3Cbr%3E1996%20-%20The%20Macintosh%20System%20Software%20OS%20underwent%20a%20rebranding%20as%20Mac%20OS%3Cbr%3E2001%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20Mac%20OS%20X%2C%20marrying%20Unix%20stability%20with%20a%20user-friendly%20interface%3Cbr%3E2006%20-%20Apple%20adopted%20Intel%20processors%20in%20MacBook%20Pro%20laptops%3Cbr%3E2008%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20MacBook%20Air%2C%20a%20lightweight%20laptop%3Cbr%3E2012%20-%20Apple%20launched%20the%20MacBook%20Pro%20with%20a%20retina%20display%3Cbr%3E2016%20-%20The%20Mac%20operating%20system%20underwent%20rebranding%20as%20macOS%3Cbr%3E2020%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20M1%20chip%20for%20Macs%2C%20combining%20high%20performance%20and%20energy%20efficiency%3Cbr%3E2022%20-%20The%20M2%20chip%20was%20announced%3Cbr%3E2023%20-The%20M3%20line-up%20of%20chip%20was%20announced%20to%20improve%20performance%20and%20add%20new%20capabilities%20for%20Mac.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
more from Janine di Giovanni
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
War
Director: Siddharth Anand
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Tiger Shroff, Ashutosh Rana, Vaani Kapoor
Rating: Two out of five stars
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
WWE Evolution results
- Trish Stratus and Lita beat Alicia Fox and Mickie James in a tag match
- Nia Jax won a battle royal, eliminating Ember Moon last to win
- Toni Storm beat Io Shirai to win the Mae Young Classic
- Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley beat The Riott Squad in a six-woman tag match
- Shayna Baszler won the NXT Women’s title by defeating Kairi Sane
- Becky Lynch retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in a Last Woman Standing match
- Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women’s title by beating Nikki Bella
The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****