UK MPs Urge Gov. to Adopt Formal Definition of Islamophobia Amid Rising Hate Crimes
A group of 40 Labour and independent MPs, led by Afzal Khan, has written to Housing Secretary Steve Reed urging the government to formally recognise a definition of Islamophobia. The letter, sent on Friday, described the move as “an important step” in addressing discrimination and hatred faced by Muslim communities.
According to the letter, “Islamophobia continues to increase rapidly, with devastating consequences,” citing official data showing that 45% of all recorded religious hate crimes in 2025 targeted Muslims — a 19% rise from the previous year.
It added that anti-Muslim offences have risen by 92% since 2023, underscoring what signatories called the urgency of adopting a formal definition.
The appeal follows the government’s February launch of a working group to outline what constitutes “unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone perceived to be Muslim.”
Read More:
That group, chaired by former attorney general Dominic Grieve KC, recently submitted its report to the housing secretary, proposing a non-statutory definition expected to go out for public consultation.
Signatories to Khan’s letter urged the government to adopt the definition during Islamophobia Awareness Month in November, and to ensure that it was shaped “in collaboration with the communities it is meant to protect.”
Among the experts who worked on the draft are Akeela Ahmed, co-chair of the British Muslim Network, and crossbench peer Shaista Gohir, who also leads the Muslim Women’s Network. Gohir recently criticised ministers for their “silence” following new figures showing that anti-Muslim hate crimes in England and Wales rose from 2,690 to 3,199 offences in the year to March 2025.
Read More:
Afzal Khan, who has campaigned against Islamophobia for over 25 years, said the government “cannot let the momentum slip.”
He noted that Muslims continue to face “the highest number of recorded religious hate crimes in the UK” and called for “a robust definition that protects people while preserving free speech.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the department is “carefully considering the working group’s recommendations” and will issue a response in due course.
Source: Agencies
