LONDON: Prominent UK politicians have written to Steve Reed, secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, urging him to adopt a new definition of Islamophobia.
Recent statistics in England and Wales have shown a 19 percent rise in hate crimes against Muslims in the last year.
In a letter, the group of 40 MPs said adopting the new definition would be an “important step” in curbing anti-Muslim prejudice.
An independent working group of MPs was established in February to determine the new definition of Islamophobia to address “unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim.”
It was chaired by the former attorney general for England and Wales, Dominic Grieve, and included the co-chair of the British Muslim Network, Akeela Ahmed.
