Responding to the leaked proposals around a non-statutory working definition of Islamophobia, Dr Wajid Akhter, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, said:
“The Muslim Council of Britain is deeply concerned that the Government is considering watering down the suggested definition recommended by its own working group. Instead, they seem to be considering a definition that fails to reflect how Islamophobia actually operates in the lives of ordinary British Muslims.
British Muslims are an incredibly diverse community. Yet time and again, we are treated as if we are a single racial group. People are targeted because of their names, appearance, clothing or perceived background, regardless of their individual beliefs or actions. This is the lived reality of how hostility is experienced, and any serious definition must recognise that.
Stripping out or diluting the concept of racialisation does not protect free speech. It obscures the nature of the harm and weakens the ability of public bodies to understand, address and prevent discrimination.”
The Muslim Council of Britain calls again for transparency and urges the working group’s recommendations report to be published in full immediately. We will consult widely with our communities and colleagues, and continue to press for an approach that is robust, credible and capable of making a real difference.