LONDON: British Sikhs say they will strongly resist a new definition of Islamophobia which they say distorts recorded history and prevents them from discussing the history of their own faith.
The Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO), headed by Lord Singh of Wimbledon, has written to UK deputy prime minister Angela Rayner saying it has “serious concerns about the APPG ‘Islamophobia’ definition” which bans saying that “Muslims spread Islam by the sword”.Sikhs revere martyred gurus and their family members who were executed by Mughal emperors for refusing to convert to Islam or died fighting them.
When Labour was in Opposition, with Jeremy Corbyn as leader, the party had adopted the APPG on British Muslims’ definition of Islamophobia, which states: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
“Adoption of this contested definition into law would have serious implications on free speech, not least the ability to discuss historical truths,” the NSO letter states.
“As a representative organisation of British Sikhs we are particularly troubled that one of the working examples of ‘Islamophobia’, which accompanies the APPG definition, includes the words: ‘…claims of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword or subjugating minority groups under their rule…’ On the face of it, this is a devious attempt at historical revisionism. Islam did indeed spread ‘by the sword’, and the subjugation of minority groups under Islamic rule continues to this day,” it said, citing as examples the “recent ethnic cleansing of Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan” and “appalling treatment and persecution of minority faiths in Bangladesh and Pakistan”.
“Seminal moments in Sikh history will be censored and considered racist, like the martyrdom of our ninth Guru, Tegh Bahadur, or fifth Guru, Arjan,” it said.
“Images of Sikh martyrs are displayed in some gurdwaras across the UK. Many of these would be deemed ‘Islamophobic’ — equated to ‘racism’ and potentially subject to criminal complaint,” the letter claimed.
This definition is part of the Labour party code of conduct and has already been adopted by London mayor Sadiq Khan. But it is not yet law though it could be included in a new race equality act. Rayner said govt was actively considering its approach to Islamophobia and any new definition would consider the potential implications for different communities.
A government spokesperson said, “We are committed to tackling all forms of hatred and division, including addressing the unacceptable rise in anti-Muslim and anti-Sikh hatred. Any new definition of Islamophobia must be given careful consideration, so it comprehensively covers multiple perspectives and considers potential implications for different communities. We will provide further updates in due course.”
The Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO), headed by Lord Singh of Wimbledon, has written to UK deputy prime minister Angela Rayner saying it has “serious concerns about the APPG ‘Islamophobia’ definition” which bans saying that “Muslims spread Islam by the sword”.Sikhs revere martyred gurus and their family members who were executed by Mughal emperors for refusing to convert to Islam or died fighting them.
When Labour was in Opposition, with Jeremy Corbyn as leader, the party had adopted the APPG on British Muslims’ definition of Islamophobia, which states: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
“Adoption of this contested definition into law would have serious implications on free speech, not least the ability to discuss historical truths,” the NSO letter states.
“As a representative organisation of British Sikhs we are particularly troubled that one of the working examples of ‘Islamophobia’, which accompanies the APPG definition, includes the words: ‘…claims of Muslims spreading Islam by the sword or subjugating minority groups under their rule…’ On the face of it, this is a devious attempt at historical revisionism. Islam did indeed spread ‘by the sword’, and the subjugation of minority groups under Islamic rule continues to this day,” it said, citing as examples the “recent ethnic cleansing of Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan” and “appalling treatment and persecution of minority faiths in Bangladesh and Pakistan”.
“Seminal moments in Sikh history will be censored and considered racist, like the martyrdom of our ninth Guru, Tegh Bahadur, or fifth Guru, Arjan,” it said.
“Images of Sikh martyrs are displayed in some gurdwaras across the UK. Many of these would be deemed ‘Islamophobic’ — equated to ‘racism’ and potentially subject to criminal complaint,” the letter claimed.
This definition is part of the Labour party code of conduct and has already been adopted by London mayor Sadiq Khan. But it is not yet law though it could be included in a new race equality act. Rayner said govt was actively considering its approach to Islamophobia and any new definition would consider the potential implications for different communities.
A government spokesperson said, “We are committed to tackling all forms of hatred and division, including addressing the unacceptable rise in anti-Muslim and anti-Sikh hatred. Any new definition of Islamophobia must be given careful consideration, so it comprehensively covers multiple perspectives and considers potential implications for different communities. We will provide further updates in due course.”
