Briefing:NEC Statement on Islamophobia From: Karen Wilkie For attention of: All Party Members, All Party Officers, Labour & Co-operative Councillors, NEC, Parliamentarians Published: 1st July 2019 Last updated: 1st July 2019 Business Type: Printed: 4th October 2024 Other formats: Print The All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims recently concluded a report into a working definition of Islamophobia. The definition agreed in the report was considered by the NEC and adopted at its meeting in June. As with the statement on anti-Semitism adopted in 2018, this NEC statement will support the Party’s rules and their interpretation. Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness. Supporting examples Following the principles used by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, the All Party Parliamentary Group report used guidelines and examples to illustrate the definition: Contemporary examples of Islamophobia in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in encounters between religions and non-religions in the public sphere could, taking into account the overall context, include, but are not limited to: Calling for, aiding, instigating or justifying the killing or harming of Muslims in the name of a racist/ fascist ideology, or an extremist view of religion. Making mendacious, dehumanizing, demonizing, or stereotypical allegations about Muslims as such, or of Muslims as a collective group, such as, especially but not exclusively, conspiracies about Muslim entryism in politics, government or other societal institutions; the myth of Muslim identity having a unique propensity for terrorism, and claims of a demographic ‘threat’ posed by Muslims or of a ‘Muslim takeover’. Accusing Muslims as a group of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Muslim person or group of Muslim individuals, or even for acts committed by non-Muslims. Accusing Muslims as a group, or Muslim majority states, of inventing or exaggerating Islamophobia, ethnic cleansing or genocide perpetrated against Muslims. Accusing Muslim citizens of being more loyal to the ‘Ummah’ (transnational Muslim community) or to their countries of origin, or to the alleged priorities of Muslims worldwide, than to the interests of their own nations. Denying Muslim populations the right to self determination e.g. by claiming that the existence of an independent Palestine or Kashmir is a terrorist endeavour. Applying double standards by requiring of Muslims behaviours that are not expected or demanded of any other groups in society, eg loyalty tests. Using the symbols and images associated with classic Islamophobia (e.g. Muhammed being a paedophile, claims of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword or subjugating minority groups under their rule) to characterize Muslims as being ‘sex groomers’, inherently violent or incapable of living harmoniously in plural societies Holding Muslims collectively responsible for the actions of any Muslim majority state, whether secular or constitutionally Islamic. Illustrative cases The APPG Report also lists reported cases to further illustrate ways in which Islamophobia is experienced. These can be seen in the report here. Resources Islamophobia Defined