UK: Sikh group campaigns against
‘flawed’ definition of ‘Islamophobia’
“If the government chooses to incorporate this definition into law, then discussing the history of the Indian subcontinent, and the persecution of religious minorities across the world today, in countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria will be absurdly equated to ‘racism.'”
Indeed. This initiative is already well underway. I’m Exhibit A.
Boost for British Sikh group’s campaign against
‘flawed’ definition of Islamophobia
by Aditi Khanna, PTI, September 29, 2024 (thanks to The Religion of Peace):
London, Sep 29 (PTI) A British Sikh organisation campaigning against a “flawed” definition of Islamophobia adopted by the Labour Party a few years ago being made legal has received a boost as the government admitted the proposal would not be in line with the UK’s Equality Act.
The Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO) had written to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and the government Faith Minister Lord Wajid Khan earlier this month to caution that the proposed definition would jeopardise even a factual discussion of the history of the Indian subcontinent.
OMG! Britain's Faith Minister's name is Wajid Khan!!!! Has the Church of England spoken out about this? Does AB of Canterbury, Justin Welby, think this is a good idea?
Back in 2018, the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims had defined Islamophobia as a “type of racism” that targets expressions of Muslimness.
“As you have mentioned, the definition proposed by the APPG is not in line with the Equality Act 2010, which defines race in terms of colour, nationality and national or ethnic origins,” reads Lords Khan’s reply to the NSO released this week….
In its letter, the NSO had warned that the adoption of a “contested definition” into law would have serious implications on “free speech, not least the ability to discuss historical truths”. It also feared that “seminal moments” in Sikh history would be “censored” and considered “racist”.
“If the government chooses to incorporate this definition into law, then discussing the history of the Indian subcontinent, and the persecution of religious minorities across the world today, in countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria will be absurdly equated to ‘racism’. This would be counterproductive, cause disquiet and perversely persecute truth tellers,” the NSO noted….
“The recent violent disorder exposed deep weaknesses in our society and, as you have mentioned, much of the violence was rooted in anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant hatred… The government will never tolerate those who seek to sow divisions and wreak intimidation across our communities, and we remain absolutely committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practice their religion at their chosen place of worship,” Lord Khan added in his reply to NSO.
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