The anti-Muslim hate definition will be bad for free speech |
After a long wait, the government’s Islamophobia definition has finally taken form. There has been plenty of criticism of the idea, and many warnings of the dangers it would pose to freedom and our ability to fight crime. But fear not, the state has come up with a brilliant solution: rebranding. Instead of ‘Islamophobia’ we are to be given a definition of ‘anti-Muslim hatred’.
The draft text, apparently submitted to the government in October, reads:
‘Anti-Muslim hostility is engaging in or encouraging criminal acts, including acts of violence, vandalism of property, and harassment and intimidation whether physical, verbal, written or electronically communicated, which is directed at Muslims or those perceived to be Muslims because of their religion, ethnicity or appearance.
It is also the prejudicial stereotyping and racialisation of Muslims, as part of a collective group with set characteristics, to stir up hatred against them, irrespective of their actual opinions, beliefs or actions as individuals.
It is engaging in prohibited discrimination where the relevant conduct – including the creation or use of practices and biases within institutions – is intended to disadvantage Muslims in public and economic life.’
There is much to be concerned with here. What exactly is ‘the prejudicial stereotyping and racialisation of Muslims’? Might it include accurate descriptions of reality, which some Muslims might find upsetting, or which they might choose........