Is there a problem with Islamophobia? The problem is the word ‘Islamophobia’ itself. What does it actually mean, and what does taking the word and its existence at face value entail?
Many do assume that Islamophobia is out there in Britain, and that it needs to be addressed. When it was in opposition, the Labour party adopted its definition as drawn up by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims. It states: ‘Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.’
We live in a society that holds people’s identities to be sacrosanct, and their associated feelings to be delicate and inviolable
As Steerpike reported on Friday, Labour ministers are still planning to press on with a refined definition of Islamophobia. After speaking to government ministers, a Sunday Telegraph report confirmed that ‘officials were considering whether to introduce a formal definition.’
We should be deeply apprehensive about what definition they will arrive at, because the one adopted already by the Labour party is fraught with jeopardy.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in