A new definition of Islamophobia being considered by ministers is expected to protect the freedom to criticise Islam, the Guardian understands.
The government launched a working group to “define unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim” in February this year.
It is understood that the working group submitted its report to the communities secretary, Steve Reed, this month laying out a non-statutory definition of Islamophobia.
The report is private and the government may choose not to publish it or to drop the project entirely. If it goes ahead, the proposed definition is expected to be put to a consultation.
Critics have raised concerns that the definition could limit freedom of speech and the ability to criticise Islam.
In 2019 the Labour party adopted a working definition of Islamophobia from the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on British Muslims, which included the statement: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
More than 50 English councils also adopted the APPG’s definition, research by the thinktank Civitas found, but the then Conservative government did not.
A source with knowledge of the matter said the 2019 definition “could be interpreted as being a mechanism by which freedom of expression to criticise Islam could be closed down” and that the working group knew it “must avoid” that.
The source said the working group stuck to its terms of reference that “any proposed definition must be compatible with the unchanging right of British citizens to exercise freedom of speech and expression – which includes the right to criticise, express dislike of or insult religions and/or the beliefs and practices of adherents”.
Chaired by the eminent barrister Dominic Grieve KC, who served as attorney general for England and Wales between 2010 and 2014, the working group on anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia definition comprises Muslim community representatives, experts and academics, including the crossbench peer Shaista Gohir and Akeela Ahmed, a co-chair of the British Muslim Network.
A source said: “This is a non-statutory definition and anybody who bothers to look at the terms of reference will that see that it is explicitly made clear that it must not interfere with freedom of expression and that it must not be a blasphemy law through the back door.”
Data released by the government this month showed hate crimes against Muslims had increased by nearly a fifth. In England and Wales, where 3.9 million people identify as Muslim, anti-Muslim hate crime rose to 3,199 offences in the 12 months to March 2025, from 2,690 offences in the previous year.