Defining Islamophobia

s reported to the charity watchdog by the National Secular Society.

Megan Manson, the society’s head of campaigns, said: “Ofcom was right to sanction this group. These comments, broadcast within days of the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, were antisemitic in the extreme and could have contributed to the division and hate crime in the wake of that attack.

“We urge the Charity Commission to take an equally robust stance on this charity and ensure it cannot publish hateful or divisive sermons in the future — even if that means removing the charity from its register. Charities must never be permitted to be exploited by extremists.

“That this charity responded to Ofcom’s concerns by calling the regulator ‘Islamophobic’ also demonstrates the pitfalls of trying to create an official definition of ‘Islamophobia’. Regulators trying to protect the public must not be hindered by fears of such accusations.”

MPs and campaigners have warned that the extremist broadcast exposes the real-world risk of the government’s plans to introduce a new Islamophobia definition.