NSS Backs Open Letter Against ‘Islamophobia’ Definition

National Secular Society ★ Letter signed by 10 groups says definition "risks fuelling division rather than fostering social cohesion."

The National Secular Society has signed an joint letter urging the Government to abandon plans to adopt an 'Islamophobia' definition.

The Government has appointed a working group to create an official, non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia.

The open letter to the Government says the move "risks fuelling division rather than fostering social cohesion" at a time of "rising tensions, deepening mistrust, and urgent social challenges".

Islam "must be open to scrutiny, criticism, mockery and even condemnation"

The letter says the signatories "strongly oppose racism and discrimination in all their forms", and warns adopting an 'Islamophobia' definition "will do little to tackle prejudice and much to exacerbate problems by encouraging censorship, identity-based grievance, and the policing of speech".

It says the proposed definition "blurs the crucial distinction between race and religion".

"Islam is a belief system that, like all others, must be open to scrutiny, criticism, mockery and even condemnation," it says.

The letter highlights several incidents demonstrating the "danger of this confusion", including the abuse faced by former University of Bristol professor Steven Greer after he was accused of 'Islamophobia' . . .

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