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Rising Hate Crimes Against MuslimsAccording to the latest data from the UK Home Office, hate crimes against Muslims in England and Wales increased by 20 percent over the past year. These attacks targeted Muslims both on racial and religious grounds. Despite Muslims being the second-largest religious group in the UK after Christians, the term “Islamophobia” still lacks an official, agreed-upon definition.
Government Efforts to Define Islamophobia
The UK government announced that on February 28 it had formed a working group composed of Muslim community representatives, academics, and independent experts to draft a new definition. After months of work, the group submitted its report last month. The government stated that the new definition aims to end long-standing disputes over the issue and provide a clear framework to combat discrimination experienced by Muslims.
Concerns from Muslim Organizations
Muslim organizations stressed that the lack of an official definition prevents accurate documentation of discrimination.
Dr. Wajid Akhtar, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), explained: “Without an official definition, hate crimes against Muslims—and even against those mistakenly perceived as Muslims—remain invisible. If people don’t know what to report, how to report it, or where to report it, they won’t report anything.”
He recalled that after 9/11, the first person killed in a hate crime was a Sikh man mistaken for a Muslim, and more recently, a Hindu elder was murdered under the same false assumption. “This shows why a definition is essential—without it, measuring, reporting, or creating mechanisms to combat Islamophobia is impossible,” Akhtar said.
Political Resistance and the “Islamophobia Industry”
Akhtar argued that opposition from far-right groups, certain think tanks, and MPs stems from an “industry built on Islamophobia.” He added: “Some politicians build their careers on the narrative of Islamophobia. The more hate speech increases, the more powerful they become.” He also warned that misinformation online is exploited by domestic and foreign actors to destabilize the UK.
Calls for Genuine Consultation
Dr. Abdullah Faliq, Head of Research at the Cordoba Foundation in London, cautioned that without an official definition, hate crimes may go unrecorded. He criticized the government for insufficient consultation with Muslim communities and limited involvement of specialist institutions such as the anti-racism group The Runnymede Trust.
Faliq emphasized: “Any definition must be prepared in consultation with representative Muslim organizations. If groups like the MCB, the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB), and East London Mosque are not consulted, the definition will be meaningless. A colonial-style approach where a few officials impose a definition on Muslims will not work.”
Political and Social Implications
Faliq noted that opposition to a definition stems from “lack of political will and vested interests.” Some view adopting a definition as “surrendering to the Muslim community.” He pointed out that Muslims are the UK’s fastest-growing religious group, and the latest census shows Britain is no longer a predominantly Christian country. “The government must acknowledge Islam’s growth and positive contribution in Britain. Ignoring this will create serious problems and gaps,” he warned.
He concluded that the “Islamophobia industry” profits politically and economically from hate speech, which explains the strong lobbying against an official definition. “If a definition is adopted, those spreading hate will be legally accountable. Delays in adopting a definition may therefore be deliberate,” Faliq said.
Government Efforts to Define Islamophobia
The UK government announced that on February 28 it had formed a working group composed of Muslim community representatives, academics, and independent experts to draft a new definition. After months of work, the group submitted its report last month. The government stated that the new definition aims to end long-standing disputes over the issue and provide a clear framework to combat discrimination experienced by Muslims.
Concerns from Muslim Organizations
Muslim organizations stressed that the lack of an official definition prevents accurate documentation of discrimination.
Dr. Wajid Akhtar, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), explained: “Without an official definition, hate crimes against Muslims—and even against those mistakenly perceived as Muslims—remain invisible. If people don’t know what to report, how to report it, or where to report it, they won’t report anything.”
He recalled that after 9/11, the first person killed in a hate crime was a Sikh man mistaken for a Muslim, and more recently, a Hindu elder was murdered under the same false assumption. “This shows why a definition is essential—without it, measuring, reporting, or creating mechanisms to combat Islamophobia is impossible,” Akhtar said.
Political Resistance and the “Islamophobia Industry”
Akhtar argued that opposition from far-right groups, certain think tanks, and MPs stems from an “industry built on Islamophobia.” He added: “Some politicians build their careers on the narrative of Islamophobia. The more hate speech increases, the more powerful they become.” He also warned that misinformation online is exploited by domestic and foreign actors to destabilize the UK.
Calls for Genuine Consultation
Dr. Abdullah Faliq, Head of Research at the Cordoba Foundation in London, cautioned that without an official definition, hate crimes may go unrecorded. He criticized the government for insufficient consultation with Muslim communities and limited involvement of specialist institutions such as the anti-racism group The Runnymede Trust.
Faliq emphasized: “Any definition must be prepared in consultation with representative Muslim organizations. If groups like the MCB, the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB), and East London Mosque are not consulted, the definition will be meaningless. A colonial-style approach where a few officials impose a definition on Muslims will not work.”
Political and Social Implications
Faliq noted that opposition to a definition stems from “lack of political will and vested interests.” Some view adopting a definition as “surrendering to the Muslim community.” He pointed out that Muslims are the UK’s fastest-growing religious group, and the latest census shows Britain is no longer a predominantly Christian country. “The government must acknowledge Islam’s growth and positive contribution in Britain. Ignoring this will create serious problems and gaps,” he warned.
He concluded that the “Islamophobia industry” profits politically and economically from hate speech, which explains the strong lobbying against an official definition. “If a definition is adopted, those spreading hate will be legally accountable. Delays in adopting a definition may therefore be deliberate,” Faliq said.
