The government has decided to redefine Islamophobia. To many of us, it will not be clear why. If we understand what we mean by homophobia or xenophobia, then why not by Islamophobia?
Of course, it is worth noting that there has never been any recognition of Christianophobia because, although all men are equal, some are more equal than others.
The new definition has been drafted thus: “Anti-Muslim hostility is engaging in or encouraging criminal acts, including acts of violence, vandalism of property, and harassment and intimidation, whether physical, verbal, written or electronically communicated, which is directed at Muslims or those perceived to be Muslims because of their religion, ethnicity or appearance.
“It is also the prejudicial stereotyping and racialisation of Muslims, as part of a collective group with set characteristics, to stir up hatred against them, irrespective of their actual opinions, beliefs or actions as individuals.
“It is engaging in prohibited discrimination where the relevant conduct - including the creation or use of practices and biases within institutions - is intended to disadvantage Muslims in public and economic life.”
One can award this twaddle full marks for verbosity and none for clarity, but many of us will wonder why, when anti-Semitism is rife and fundamentalist Islam a threat and source of actual violence, we are picking on this one group for what effectively amounts to enhanced protection.
Radical Islam is the real winner as Labour kicks down the guardrails of free speech - Ann Widdecombe | Getty Images
Criminal acts are, by definition, criminal anyway, and racial discrimination is already against the law (or “prohibited” as this clumsy document tells us), so why do we need this new definition?
The answer is that we do not need it. It is bound to be over-interpreted and will probably mean that free speech will suffer yet another blow, as people self-censor any expression of doubt that the burka is always voluntary or that Islam is not inherently inimical to the rights of women.
It may well also prove to be self-defeating as it becomes a source of resentment among the population at large and may well make Muslims themselves uncomfortable.
At the last census, Muslims made up 6.5 per cent of the population, although in Birmingham, that becomes 30 per cent.
They did not all arrive here on boats or intent on violating girls and evading immigration laws. Lots arrived lawfully, intent only on bettering themselves, toiling all hours and in turn producing doctors and lawyers and accountants.
I know such families, and I would bet a magnum of champagne to a glass of stale orange juice that they will not welcome this definition because they just want to be allowed to get on with being part of British life.
There is a lot to distract us at the moment with wars and massacres and a useless government, but we should not let this go unheeded or unchallenged.
A cohesive society means one law, one language and equal rights and freedoms for all.
It might be different if there were not already protections built in for Muslims, but there are. The laws we have in place are already interpreted oppressively by employers, both public and private and another wordy, worthy set of prohibitions can only add to that tendency.
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