Govt calls Islamophobia definition ‘not fit for purpose’
by Paul Huxley, Christian Concern:
Speaking for the government, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Eddie Hughes has rejected the APPG definition of Islamophobia, describing it as “not fit for purpose”.
The speaking time at the Westminster Hall debate, held on 9 September, was dominated by MPs from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, which is behind the proposed definition.
All MPs recognised the hostility Muslims can face in Britain, some like Zarah Sultana speaking from personal experience. No Christian should be content to hear some of the abuse that is sometimes directed towards Muslims, and in some instances, those who are presumed to be Muslims. Those in favour of adopting the definition, pressed the need to define ‘Islamophobia’ as a crucial step towards stopping these incidents.
But the APPG definition of Islamophobia – and even the term itself – is deeply flawed, as Tim Dieppe and a wider group of religious and secular experts has shown.
Eddie Hughes, representing the government, responded to the debate making similar points. He consistently used the phrase ‘anti-Muslim hatred’, which correctly draws the focus towards the abuse of Muslims, rather than criticism of Islam.
He said:
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