Definition of Islamophobia in the British
Parliament
on Wednesday 20 March 2024
Dr. Mozammel Haque
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There was a debate on the definition of Islamophobia in the House of
Commons in the British Parliament on Wednesday 20 March 2024.
Labour Member of Parliament for the constituency Oldham East and Saddleworth Debbie Abrahams asked the question: “What recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on implementing a definition of Islamophobia.”
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Felicity Buchan
The Parliamentary
Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Felicity
Buchan replied: “We will not tolerate anti-Muslim hatred in any form, and we will seek to
stamp it out wherever it occurs. We are appointing an independent adviser to
tackle the scourge of anti-Muslim hatred, to join our independent adviser on
antisemitism. We have a programme for tackling anti-Muslim hatred, which
includes the consideration of definitions. It also includes £117 million of
funding to protect Muslim places of worship and faith schools until 2028.”
Labour MP
Debbie Abrahams
Labour MP Debbie Abrahams said, “Despite what the Minister says, many believe
that the Government’s two-year delay in coming up with a definition on
Islamophobia—the Conservatives are the only political party in the UK to have
taken so long—reflects their indifference to the fear, discrimination and
hatred that thousands of Muslims experience.”
“Why has it taken so long? She questioned.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Felicity Buchan
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and
Communities Felicity Buchan replied: “We do not agree with the all-party group
on British Muslims’ definition of Islamophobia; we believe the most appropriate
term is “anti-Muslim hatred”. Let me explain why. In this country, there is
freedom of religion, and also freedom to criticise a religion. What someone
cannot do is discriminate against or show hatred to me because of my religion.”
Mr Speaker said Alex Cunningham is not here. He called the Shadow Secretary of State.
Shadow Secretary of State
Anneliese Dodds
Shadow Secretary of State,
Labour/Co-op Member of Parliament from Oxford East, Anneliese Dodds said: “A senior Conservative
who went on to become Prime Minister said that Muslim women “look like letter
boxes”. A Conservative candidate for London Mayor said that she wants to defeat
her Muslim opponent to make things safer “for our Jewish community”. A former
Conservative deputy chairman said that Islamists have “got control” of the
Mayor of London.”
She asked the question: “Are those incidents of anti-Muslim hatred the kind of incidents that the Minister just said will not be tolerated?”
The
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Felicity Buchan
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of
State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Felicity Buchan replied: “We
have made it very clear that a number of these comments we just do not
accept—we think they are wrong—but before the hon. Lady throws abuse at
Conservative Members, she should take a look at what is happening on the Labour
Benches. Hers is the only party that has been sanctioned by the Equality and
Human Rights Commission for institutional racism. Her party has now given the
Whip back to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Andy McDonald), even though the
Labour party said that his comments were deeply offensive. The right hon.
Member for Hackney North and Stoke Newington (Ms Abbott) has also had the Whip
suspended because of antisemitism.”
Shadow Secretary of State
Anneliese Dodds
Shadow Secretary of State, Labour/Co-op Member of Parliament from Oxford
East, Anneliese Dodds, said, “It is important that we do not trade abuse about
these very serious issues. [Interruption.] With respect, that
was the tone that I adopted. Where there are issues with political parties,
rather than laughing about them, we should take action. That is what the Labour
party did after the EHRC investigation. Sadly, the Conservatives have not acted
to develop a definition of anti-Muslim hatred. We have changed, but the
Conservatives have not. A definition was promised, and an adviser was appointed
to develop one five years ago—perhaps the Minister is unaware of that—but today
there is still no definition. There is no adviser now, no active anti-Muslim
hate crime working group, no hate crime strategy, and minimal action on
tackling online hate.”
“When are the Government going to wake up to this problem?” Anneliese
Dodds asked.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary
of State for
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Felicity Buchan
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and
Communities, Felicity Buchan, replied: “As I said, this Government are
completely committed to supporting our Muslim communities. We have said that we
will appoint an independent adviser. We have made more money available to
protect mosques and Muslim faith schools. I am visiting my local mosque,
al-Manaar, this afternoon/early evening to attend an Iftar. If one looks at the
composition of the Conservative Front Bench and at how diverse the people there
are, one can see clearly that our party is committed to diversity and equality.”
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