UK gov’t must adopt formal definition of Islamophobia, leader of Lib Dems says

The UK government must “treat Islamophobia with the urgency it deserves” and start by “adopting a formal working definition of Islamophobia” and appointing “an Independent Government adviser on Islamophobia”, the leader of the Liberal Democrats has said.

In an article he penned in the Muslim News, Sir Ed Davey said: “For too long, the previous government failed to treat Islamophobia with the urgency it deserved. Now, the Prime Minister has an opportunity to take the swift, decisive action that the British Muslim community deserves.”

He said a first step would be “adopting a formal working definition of Islamophobia” and appointing an Independent Government adviser on Islamophobia, “a post that has been left vacant for two years at the hands of the Conservatives.”

The Liberal Democrats, he explained, adopted the  All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslim’s definition of Islamophobia in 2019. “We need action on this as a priority, to make clear that Islamophobia will not be tolerated.”

His calls come after over a week of far-right protests which have manifested in attacks on Muslims and mosques as well as other ethnic minority groups in the UK. Davey, however, said “unity will prevail.”

“Racism and Islamophobia have no place in our society.”

“We have witnessed so much compassion, kindness and decency in the last few days … not least from the British Muslim community who have so bravely come together for their communities, despite being targeted. We owe it to these individuals to act quickly to stamp out Islamophobia from our society, once and for all.”

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