Over 40 British MPs demand an official “Islamophobia” definition amid surging antisemitic violence, sparking fears of silencing legitimate criticism of extremism.
At a time when antisemitic attacks are skyrocketing across Britain, more than forty Members of Parliament have chosen to focus elsewhere — demanding that the UK government formally “adopt a definition of Islamophobia” to protect Muslims from discrimination.
The initiative, spearheaded by Labour MP Afzal Khan, calls on the government to recognize “anti-Muslim hatred” as a distinct form of prejudice and to adopt a legal definition of Islamophobia — a move that critics say could erode free speech and shield radical ideologies from scrutiny.
The MPs’ letter cites statistics claiming a 20% rise in crimes against Muslims in 2025, asserting that nearly 45% of all religiously motivated hate crimes were directed at members of the Muslim community — an apparent 92% increase since 2023. The timing, however, has raised eyebrows: the call comes as British Jewry faces its gravest threat since World War II, with antisemitic incidents reaching unprecedented levels following the Hamas massacres and Israel’s defensive war in Gaza.
Supporters of the motion argue that adopting such a definition would signal inclusivity and compassion. Yet many civil liberties advocates, along with Jewish community leaders, warn that this move risks conflating criticism of Islamist extremism with racism, creating a legal smokescreen that discourages honest debate about radicalization, women’s rights, and antisemitic indoctrination within certain circles.
One prominent analyst told The Telegraph, “It’s deeply ironic — while synagogues are under police guard, MPs are preoccupied with protecting ideology over people. The word ‘Islamophobia’ has too often been used to silence truth-tellers and those exposing hate preachers.”
The letter was addressed to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Steve Reed, urging him to take action during Islamophobia Awareness Month — a campaign critics say has been increasingly politicized and used to deflect from Islamist hate rhetoric targeting Jews and Israel.
As the UK struggles to confront both rising antisemitism and the spread of extremist networks, the debate over the “Islamophobia” definition underscores a broader cultural struggle — between defending free speech and appeasing political correctness at the expense of truth.
