Addressing all forms of racism is about treating every human being equally and fairly, not giving special treatment to one community over another. Public policy must be grounded in fairness for all.

In 2018, the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims, a cross-party forum of MPs and peers that advises Parliament on issues affecting Muslims in the UK, consulted widely and produced a working definition of Islamophobia.

This definition recognised Islamophobia as a form of racism in how it is expressed, with Muslims treated as a homogenous group with particular negative traits and associations.

In essence, Islamophobia means judging, dehumanising, or discriminating against Muslims based on appearance, dress, or faith identity.

Muslim women frequently experience threats and verbal abuse in public spaces, including on public transport, in the streets, and in shops. Common physical assaults include spitting, shoving, slapping, and having their clothing, such as a hijab, forcefully removed. 

Considerable energy has been invested in muddying the waters. The Government established a working group chaired by Dominic Grieve KC, attempting to conflate Islamophobia with blasphemy laws or restrictions on free speech.

But let's be clear, Islamophobia has nothing to do with theology. It is the targeting of individuals or groups based on prejudice or hate towards a perceived Muslim identity.

Some ask why a definition is needed at all. Without defining something, it cannot be effectively detected, monitored, or challenged.

Non-statutory definitions are also practical tools that help tackle issues of racism outside of the legal system, such as through proactive education in schools, equality monitoring, and employment practices to prevent unfair discrimination, hate, and prejudice in the first place.

Since the APPG definition was drafted, more than 800 academics, community groups, parliamentarians, and........

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