UK Government Plans Council to Define Islamophobia

The UK government, led by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, plans to establish a 16-member council aimed at advising on Islamophobia and developing an official definition for the term. Former Conservative Minister Dominic Grieve and Leeds-based imam Qari Asim are among those being considered for leadership roles within the council. The controversial definition of Islamophobia, which characterizes it as a type of racism targeting expressions of Muslimness, was previously adopted by the Labour Party and criticized for potentially stifling criticism of Islam. The Muslim Council of Britain has urged the government to adopt the existing definition proposed by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Muslims, emphasizing the need for effective measures against Islamophobia. Critics warn that this initiative could lead to the imposition of de facto blasphemy laws, limiting freedom of expression regarding Islamic practices. The government’s move comes in response to rising concerns about anti-Muslim sentiments and violence in the UK.