‘Excuses’ over Islamophobia

Aberdeenshire councillors have been accused of making the “most flimsy excuses” as they refused to adopt a definition of Islamophobia.

Officials had recommended the local authority agree the same interpretation as other public bodies as a “workable yardstick” for measuring success in tackling the issue.

But the council leader’s casting vote was used to sink the plans over fears it could stifle free speech.

Neighbouring Moray Council and all Scottish parliamentary parties have already adopted the wording.

Brought forward by the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims (APPG), the definition states: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”

It was first debated in Aberdeenshire in June. But a final vote was delayed to give officials time to explore any negative consequences.

Now, councillors have agreed to note the definition, stopping short of adopting it in the authority’s work to address discrimination in the north-east.

Muslim Engagement and Development (Mend) had urged Aberdeenshire Council in an open letter to support the definition.

They said it would show Aberdeenshire Muslims the council acknowledges the hardships they face.

Campaigners claimed it would also show that combating Islamophobia is a “priority”.

And council officers backed the calls in the face of rising recorded violence, abuse and discrimination against Muslims throughout the UK.

Councillors were also warned failure to adopt the definition might place the council “in jeopardy” of failing in its equalities duties.

But concerns about the definition were raised by the National Secular Society (NSS).

They believed it may have negative consequences for freedom of expression and “conflates the issues of race and religion”.

NSS chief executive officer, Stephen Evans, said the term Islamophobia “may be a counterproductive way of addressing antiMuslim bigotry and hatred”.

He added: “We believe the vague and unworkable definition should be rejected on the basis of its potential to chill free speech around Islam.”

Westhill and District SNP councillor Fatima Joji, who is not a member of the committee, watched the debate online.

The only Muslim sitting on the council accused the ruling coalition of the “most flimsy excuses” for not backing Mend’s calls.

The SNP member said: “This sends out the wrong message.

“They may have tried to justify the decision but actions speak louder than words.

“There were concerns this would have an impact on freedom of speech but lawyers were consulted on this to make sure it didn’t infringe on that.

“The definition of Islamophobia is aimed at stopping hate speech, even people who aren’t Muslim are targets of this.”

INTERPRETATION: Councillors debated the definition. Picture by Paul Glendell.