Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Islamophobia: Definition

Wednesday 20 March 2024 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities plans to appoint an independent adviser to tackle anti-Muslim hatred.
  • The Government does not agree with the all-party group on British Muslims' definition of Islamophobia, preferring the term "anti-Muslim hatred".
  • The Minister emphasizes government support for Muslim communities, including financial aid for mosque protection and visits to local mosques.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alex Cunningham Lab
Community Security
Context

Discussions on tackling anti-Muslim hatred.

Question

What recent discussions has the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities had with the Minister regarding the work of the anti-Muslim hatred working group?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific recent discussions with Secretary of State on working group's activities were not addressed, instead general commitment to tackling anti-Muslim hatred was given.

How: General Commitment, Programme Details

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Q2 Debbie Abrahams Lab Oldham East and Saddleworth
Community Security Religion & Faith
Context

Criticism of the government for delaying a definition on Islamophobia.

Question

Despite what the Minister says, many believe that the Government's two-year delay in coming up with a definition on Islamophobia reflects their indifference to the fear, discrimination and hatred experienced by thousands of Muslims. Why has it taken so long?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific reasons for the delay in defining Islamophobia were not addressed.

How: Definition Disagreement, Freedom Of Religion

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Q3 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford East
Community Security
Context

Examples of derogatory statements towards Muslims by Conservatives.

Question

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 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. Are those incidents of anti-Muslim hatred the kind of incidents that the Minister just said will not be tolerated?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

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.

Not addressed: The specific incidents were not addressed; instead, criticism of Labour was given.

How: Criticism Of Opposition

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Q4 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford East
Community Security Democracy & Elections Religion & Faith
Context

Lack of definition and strategy for tackling anti-Muslim hatred.

Question

It is important that we do not trade abuse about these very serious issues. Where there are issues with political parties, rather than laughing about them, we should take action. The Labour party did after the EHRC investigation. Sadly, the Conservatives have not acted to develop a definition of anti-Muslim hatred. A definition was promised and an adviser was appointed to develop one five years ago but today there is still no definition. There is no adviser now, no active working group, no hate crime strategy, and minimal action on tackling online hate. When are the Government going to wake up to this problem?

Answer from Felicity Buchan

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific timeline for addressing anti-Muslim hatred issues was not provided.

How: Commitment To Supporting Muslim Communities, Funding And Visiting Mosques

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