Supporters of a highly-controversial plan to set “appropriate limits to free speech” about Muslims have been given up to £2.6million by the Government to police and monitor “Islamophobia”.
The British Muslim Trust has been awarded a £1million-a-year contract by ministers to “combat hate against Muslims”.
The Aziz Foundation also funded and supported a report by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims calling for a highly restrictive legal definition of “Islamophobia”.
The Aziz-funded APPG report said an Islamophobia definition should set “appropriate limits to free speech” when talking about Muslims.
It said that “free speech and a supposed right to criticise Islam results in nothing more than another subtle form of anti-Muslim racism”.
It specifically listed “the issue of 'grooming gangs',” which it placed in inverted commas, as a “real-life example” of Islamophobia and racism.
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|Entrepreneur and philanthropist Asif Aziz established The Aziz Foundation in 2015
The Aziz Foundation strongly supports the APPG Islamophobia definition, saying that with its “encouragement and engagement,” almost a dozen universities have adopted it.
But senior Tories have attacked the definition as special treatment and an attempt to censor criticism of Islam.
The intended new chief executive of the British Muslim Trust, Akeela Ahmed, sits on a British Government group which is working on drawing up an official Islamophobia definition.
Ahmed has also stated that “a definition with legal power is required, one that could be implemented by the Government and the police”.
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|Akeela Ahmed is the new chief executive of the British Muslim Trust
Tory MP Nick Timothy said: “The appointment of this organisation is deeply worrying.
“The conflicts of interest are obvious, given the stated ambition of the Aziz Foundation to secure an official definition of ‘Islamophobia’ and the role of Akeela Ahmed on the ‘Islamophobia’ working group.
“But the fact that the Government has awarded public money to an organisation that has attacked Prevent is even more concerning.
“Sadly, it continues a pattern of Labour working with people it should be condemning.”
A Government spokesman has said that Ahmed brings “critical expertise and experience in this area and commitment to improving experiences for Muslim communities”.
In addition, the Aziz Foundation has also funded the Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM), which until this month was part of the Muslim Council of Britain, which has been boycotted by ministers for more than 15 years because of its hardline views.
It has also funded the Islamophobia Response Unit, which is part of the Muslim Engagement and Development, which was being assessed for extremism by the last Government.
The IRU was established by Mend, which ran it until 2021. It is now independent of the organisation.
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|Tory MP Nick Timothy said 'the appointment of this organisation is deeply worrying'
Last year, then-Levelling-Up Secretary Michael Gove said in the Commons that Mend had an “Islamist orientation and views” and that it was a “divisive force within Muslim communities”.
At the time, Mend rejected any suggestion that it was extremist and challenged Gove to repeat his accusation outside of parliamentary privilege.
Fiyaz Mughal, the founder of Tell Mama, told GB News: “We need to look very closely at who these foundations have previously funded and if they have been involved in the production of the 2018 Islamophobia definition.
“We also need to be clear about the past histories of those involved in delivering a national service and how they can include servicing members of the Ahmadiyya, LGBTQ+ Muslims and Muslims who dissent from their opinions of Islam.”
He added: “They also need to show us how they will serve those individuals and actively challenge discrimination within Muslim communities against other Muslims.”
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|Last year, Michael Gove said Mend was a 'divisive force within Muslim communities'
The Aziz Foundation says it seeks to drive “public policy change”, “shape [the] media narrative around Muslims and Islam”, and create “greater soft power for British Muslim communities”.
It says it has given out £8million in grants.
The foundation was set up and is chaired by Asif Aziz, a wealthy developer who owns much of London’s West End but was criticised as “Britain’s meanest landlord” after taking legal action against shops and restaurants who fell behind with their rent during the pandemic.
Aziz has attracted opprobrium for closing London’s oldest YCMA and seeking to close the much-loved Prince Charles Cinema, near Leicester Square.
He is also converting part of his landmark Trocadero building in Piccadilly into a mosque, and is behind the “Ramadan Lights” display which takes over streets in central London during the Muslim holy month.
An MHCLG spokesman said: “The British Muslim Trust was appointed as the recipient of the Combatting Hate Against Muslims fund following a rigorous and transparent application process, in which it was the highest scoring applicant.
“Akeela Ahmed brings critical expertise and experience in this area and commitment to improving experiences for Muslim communities.
“The Working Group is independent and will provide independent, evidence-based advice to Ministers.”
Akeela Ahmed told GB News: “For too long, anti-Muslim hate has been under-recognised and under-reported. BMT exists to change that — by listening to communities, amplifying their voices, and working with partners across society to ensure that no one is left to face hate alone. We are here to stand with victims and help shape a more inclusive, united Britain for all.”
The Aziz Foundation was contacted for comment.