MPs urge minister to adopt definition of Islamophobia amid rise in hate crime | Islamophobia
More than three dozen Labor and independent MPs have written to the housing secretary calling on the government to adopt a definition of Islamophobia after the latest figures revealed hate crimes against Muslims have risen by almost a fifth.
Forty MPs, including Labor MPs Diane Abbott, Dawn Butler, Kim Johnson and independent Andrew Gwynne, were among those who signed Afzal Khan’s letter to Steve Reed on Friday asking him to identify anti-Muslim hatred as a “significant step” in tackling the discrimination, prejudice and hatred facing society.
“This unfortunately comes at a time when Islamophobia continues to rise rapidly with devastating consequences. In 2025, 45% of religious hate crimes were against Muslims. This is an increase of 19%,” the letter said.
“This means Islamophobic hate crimes have increased by 92% since 2023, making it more important than ever for the government to adopt a definition.”
In February, the government set up a working group to identify “unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hatred targeting Muslims or anyone perceived to be Muslim”. The working group is understood to have submitted its report to Reed earlier this month, which laid out a non-legal definition of Islamophobia.
If it proceeds, the proposed definition is expected to be submitted for discussion. The signatories called on Reed to adopt a definition during Islamophobia awareness month in November and work with the communities “that definition is intended to protect.”
Critics have expressed concern that the definition could limit free speech and the ability to criticize Islam. The Guardian reported earlier this month that it was understood that the new definition of Islamophobia being considered by ministers was expected to protect the freedom to criticize Islam.
The working group on the definition of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia is chaired by barrister Dominic Grieve KC, who served as attorney general for England and Wales between 2010 and 2014, and includes experts and academics such as Akeela Ahmed, co-chair of the British Muslim Network, and Shaista Gohir from different boards.
Earlier this month, Gohir, who also leads the Muslim Women’s Network, criticized ministers for being “silent” after government figures emerged that 3.9 million people identify as Muslim in England and Wales; Anti-Muslim hate crimes increased from 2,690 crimes to 3,199 in the 12 months to March 2025.
In 2019, Labor accepted a working definition of Islamophobia towards British Muslims from the all-party parliamentary group (APPG). This definition included the following statement: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a form of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
The definition has been adopted by many organisations, including Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish Conservatives, but the Westminster government and the Conservative Party have not followed suit, saying the definition is “not generally accepted” and needs further consideration.
Islam is protected as a religion under the Equality Act 2010, but Muslims are not protected against racial discrimination because they are not defined as a racial group. In 2016, the government adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which was adopted by leading parties in the UK.
Khan, who has campaigned against Islamophobia for more than 25 years and called for its definition for more than 10 years, said he “cannot let the momentum slip” after the Labor government set up a working group in February.
“Muslims suffer the highest number of religious hate crimes recorded in the UK,” Khan said, adding that the figures reflected an “aggressive shift” in acceptable rhetoric fueled by the far right.
Manchester MP Rusholme said: “We urgently need a robust definition that protects people while protecting freedom of expression.”
A Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesman said: “The Department is carefully considering the Taskforce’s recommendations and we will respond in due course.”
