Steve Lockyer
463 posts
An official definition of Islamophobia — now repackaged as “anti-Muslim hostility” — will threaten free speech, say religious leaders. Parliament voted in 2008 to abolish blasphemy laws. Now, Starmer’s government is trying to reintroduce a Muslim blasphemy law. Representatives from the Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities have written to the Communities Secretary urging him not to place one religion on a pedestal. It is clear that this ever-expanding definition will have a chilling effect on free speech. It will silence legitimate criticism of Islam — including its practices such as halal slaughter — and shut down conversations on important topics such as the grooming gangs scandal and Islamist extremism. In their letter, religious leaders warned the Secretary of State that this new “vauge” definition is unnecessary because existing UK law already protects religious groups from discrimination and hate — including Islam. The letter highlights that the inclusion of racialisation and prejudicial stereotyping as forms of anti-Muslim hate will further chill free speech. Representatives said: “Muslims are not a racial group. Islam is a global religion, whose adherents come from a wide range of different races. This basic fact cannot be changed by government decree.” While the definition is non-statutory, public bodies will adopt it with the same enthusiasm as the police did with NCHIs. The government must abandon the official definition. Read more below 👇
BREAKING: UPenn has agreed to APOLOGIZE for allowing male Lia Thomas to compete on the women's swimming team. They will also vacate all of Thomas' "records" and restore them to the women who rightfully earned them. outkick.com/sports/upenn-a…
‘Do you have any sympathy for transgender women who feel excluded from a sport they love?’ ‘No. I also have a love for the game’ Cerys Vaughan you are hero. You speak for so many young women who are too afraid to. You have made them braver. Thank you.
