Campaigners are scrambling to defend plans for a new definition of Islamophobia amid serious fears of creating a "backdoor blasphemy law".
Akeela Ahmed, the co-chairwoman of the British Muslim Trust (BMT), has vowed a new definition will aim to protect people from abuse and harassment - rather than shut down criticism of Islam.
Ms Ahmed is a member of the working group advising the Government on the topic.
She said the new rules would "help provide clarity" and warned many Muslims feel their place in Britain "is being questioned" as they face regular abuse and hostility.
She also turned her fire on "Operation Raise the Colours" and Tommy Robinson's Unite the Kingdom rallies for contributing to that feeling.
"A definition of anti-Muslim hatred, or anti-Muslim hostility, is about protecting people so that they can go about their daily lives safely, without fear of being attacked or abused or harassed," Ms Ahmed said.
"And similarly, that they can go about their lives without suffering any kind of prejudice or discrimination. It’s not about closing down criticism of religions or Islam."
She added that the situation in Britain had "deteriorated" in the past two years amid "echoes of the overt, thuggery (and) racism that my parents experienced when they arrived in this country in the 1970s and the early 80s".
Ms Ahmed said she was refused service in a shop last year, and recalled feeling "surprise and shock, and then I felt quite vulnerable".
Akeela Ahmed, the co-chairwoman of the British Muslim Trust (BMT), has vowed a new definition will aim to protect people from abuse and harassment
|PA
As well as flag-raising and rallies, summer 2024's unrest and the polarisation of views in the UK on the Israel-Palestine conflict have all meant "people really felt like their place in this country is being questioned", she said.
The working group is being chaired by barrister and former Conservative Attorney General Dominic Grieve.
Its recommendations were submitted to the Government in October.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed said last month that the new definition would be published "very shortly".
Ministers have been coy over exactly what the definition will look like - but fears have been raised it may curtail free speech over the threat of Islamic extremism.
ISLAMOPHOBIA DEFINITION IN THE SPOTLIGHT - READ MORE:
- Radical Islam is the real winner as Labour kicks down the guardrails of free speech - Ann Widdecombe
- Labour’s new Islamophobia definition risks 'reviving non-crime hate incidents' as Keir Starmer told to pull ANOTHER U-turn
- Grooming gangs will find plenty to love in Labour's watered-down definition of 'Islamophobia' - Toby Young
The British Muslim Trust's Akeela Ahmed said 'hostility' like 'Operation Raise the Colours' and Tommy Robinson's rallies meant a definition was needed
| GETTY
Steve Reed said last month that the new definition would be published 'very shortly'
| PAJust last month, counter-extremism experts warned the move might illegally discriminate against other faith groups.
A report by the influential Counter Extremism Group (CEG) said any new definition was unnecessary because existing UK equality, hate and human rights laws already provide adequate protection for members of all faith groups, including Muslims.
"Other minority faith groups, including Hindus, Sikhs, Baha'is, and Christians would be likely to perceive an official definition of anti-Muslim hate as evidence of favouritism, either towards Muslims as a group or towards self-appointed Muslim community leaders," said the CEG.
The Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has warned a new definition could have a "chilling effect or lead to the unlawful restriction" of protected political speech.
While Free Speech Union boss and Tory peer Lord Young has branded a definition "unneccessary".
Tory peer Lord Young has branded an 'anti-Muslim hate' definition 'unneccessary'
|GETTY
"The definition is unnecessary because it's already a criminal offence to stir up religious hatred and unlawful for employers or service providers to discriminate against people on the basis of their religion or belief," he said.
"Granting Muslims additional protections not extended to people of other faiths will have the effect of increasing anti-Muslim hostility, not reducing it."
Last month, a spokesman for the Communities Department said: "With all hate crime on the rise and anti-Muslim hate and antisemitism incidents at a record high, we are committed to tackling hatred wherever it may occur.
"We will always defend freedom of speech, and this remains at the front of our minds as we carefully consider the recommendations.
"The Government also continues to promote the adoption of the anti-Semitism definition. The vast majority of councils already adopt this definition, and we strongly encourage the remaining councils to do so."