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I have spent some time in recent weeks carefully reading @APPGBritMuslims report on defining Islamophobia.
It's an excellent piece of work.
It carefully explains why this 👇 and the linked submission's criticisms are ill-founded. /1
It's an excellent piece of work.
It carefully explains why this 👇 and the linked submission's criticisms are ill-founded. /1
This is the full report which I recommend reading if you want to really get to grips with the concept of 'Islamophobia'. static1.squarespace.com/static/599c3d2…
This is how it defines Islamophobia - a definition which in and of itself should be unobjectionable /2
This is how it defines Islamophobia - a definition which in and of itself should be unobjectionable /2
There are also a number of illustrative examples which are strongly based around the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Have a read and see whether any of these are objectionable, limit free expression or do not describe behaviour which we should reject in our society /3
The most common criticisms of Islamophobia as a concept are that it limits freedom of speech by discouraging criticism of Islam. The APPG make very clear that this is not the point of the definition. /4
That isn't the end of the story, since the road to the denial of rights is sometimes paved by good intentions. But I think the free speech argument is similar to that against the IHRA definition of antisemitism. If you apply it as per the guidelines, it shouldn't be a problem /5
There will always be cases - especially in hotly contested public debate - where people will attempt to curtail legitimate speech by claiming racism. But it doesn't follow that we should avoid defining a form of hatred which is experienced by many people across the UK /6
Indeed, the opposite is true - by carefully defining Islamophobia (or antisemitism) and emphasising the right to free speech, you can make it *easier* to legitimately criticise religion or religious communities, as the agreed boundaries and sensitivities are clearer /7
Having said that, I think the guidance section of the @APPGBritMuslims report should be formalised, put on a single page and a bit should be added on free speech along the lines of what I quoted in [/4] - to reflect the bit of the IHRA guidance on criticism of Israel /8
To conclude, I think @APPGBritMuslims definition of Islamophobia is a useful and important addition to anti-racism in the UK.
Also, if you want free human rights training please get in touch. Have some good stuff in the pipeline which I'll tweet about /9
Also, if you want free human rights training please get in touch. Have some good stuff in the pipeline which I'll tweet about /9
@APPGBritMuslims One more point - there is a really important reason for defining Islamophobia: because a lot of Muslims in the UK are experiencing it in the form of prejudice and hate. By defining it, we open a conversation which builds awareness and give institutions the tools to tackle it /10
