Proposed UK Islamophobia definition allows for right to criticise religion, source says
Source says working group stuck to requirement that definition must not interfere with freedom of speech
Chris Osuh Community
affairs correspondent
Mon 20 Oct 2025 16.11 BST
A new definition of Islamophobia being considered by UK ministers is expected to protect the freedom to criticise Islam, the Guardian understands.
The government launched a working group in February to “define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim.”
It is understood the working group submitted its report this month to the communities secretary, Steve Reed, laying out a non-statutory definition of Islamophobia.
The report is private and the government may choose not to publish it or to drop the project entirely. If it goes ahead, the proposed definition is expected to be put to a consultation.
Critics have raised concerns that the definition could limit freedom of speech and the ability to criticise Islam.
In 2019, the Labour party adopted a working definition of Islamophobia from the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on British Muslims, which included the statement: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
More than 50 English councils also adopted the APPG’s definition, research by the thinktank Civitas found, but the then Conservative government did not.
A source with knowledge of the matter said the 2019 definition “could be interpreted as being a mechanism by which freedom of expression to criticise Islam could be closed down” and that the working group knew it “must avoid” that.
The source said the working group stuck to its terms of reference that “any proposed definition must be compatible with the unchanging right of British citizens to exercise freedom of speech and expression – which includes the right to criticise, express dislike of or insult religions and/or the beliefs and practices of adherents”.
Chaired by the eminent barrister Dominic Grieve KC, who served as attorney general for England and Wales between 2010 and 2014, the working group on anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia definition comprises Muslim community representatives, experts and academics, including the crossbench peer Shaista Gohir and Akeela Ahmed, a co-chair of the British Muslim Network.
A source said: “This is a non-statutory definition and anybody who bothers to look at the terms of reference will that see that it is explicitly made clear that it must not interfere with freedom of expression and that it must not be a blasphemy law through the back door.”
Data released by the government this month showed hate crimes against Muslims had increased by nearly a fifth. In England and Wales, where 3.9 million people identify as Muslim, anti-Muslim hate crime rose to 3,199 offences in the 12 months to March 2025, from 2,690 offences in the previous year.
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “We do not comment on leaks. The department is carefully considering the independent Working Group’s advice on a definition of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia, and no government decisions have been made.
“We will always defend freedom of speech, including fiercely protecting the right to criticise, express dislike of, or insult religions and the beliefs and practices of those who follow them. This will remain at the front of our minds as we review the definition.”
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your own with these words.
2. Divide the text of
the article into logical parts and write down the sentence that best expresses
the very thought of each logical part. Make up a question to each logical part.
3. Think of the rubric
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Mind the key words.
4. Study the plan of
rendering and provide a rendering of the article.
5. Learn by heart the
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