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Haven’t you heard? – Islamophobia may be getting a new definition… – The APPG has proposed a new report that redefines the term Islamophobia, one that is rooted in racism. – While many find the new working definition’s roots in racism to be an accurate move, some question how it will effect members of the black Muslim community. – Could this be a step forward towards combatting Islamophobia in the UK? – Thank you to @thebrownhijabi and @unwrittenwords for their contributions

A post shared by A M A L I A H (@amaliah_com) on Nov 30, 2018 at 8:05am PST

The APPG definition of Islamophobia was released on the 28th November 2018.

The definition reads as  Islamophobia is “rooted in racism” and says it’s “a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” The new definition was agreed on the same week by the All Party Parliamentary group (APPG) on British muslims.

Whilst a definition may help institutions, governments and other bodies like the Police identify and record Islamophobia better the definition itself may need exploring as raised by British Muslims on Social media over the last few days.

Amaliah have made a short video about the release of the new definition here:

The victims of Islamophobia are far more than just Muslims, but also:

– Sikh Americans
– South Asian Hindus
– Arab Christians and non-Muslims
– Latinx communities
– non-Muslim Africans

And more. Bigotry blinds Islamophobes from differentiating Muslims from non-Muslims.

— Khaled Beydoun (@KhaledBeydoun) September 21, 2018

Eg of how identity politics works. Muslim leaders should understand it thoroughly & develop a Quranic perspective so that they don't create definitions like @APPGBritMuslims 'Islamophobia' that only just fuels this. The left takeover of Muslim leaders was arguably inevitable https://t.co/uxy2hh4pSf

— Mamnun Khan (@DrMamnunKhan) November 29, 2018

As Islamophobia Awareness Month draws to a close and the new definition of #Islamophobia was announced yesterday, I share this piece I wrote for @newint on why we need IAM and why Islamophobia is nothing BUT institutional https://t.co/vMBrLfRluq pic.twitter.com/QUPFlgm0JQ

— Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan (@thebrownhijabi) November 28, 2018

‘Islamophobia is a form of racism – like antisemitism it’s time it got its own definition’ @wesstreeting @Anna_Soubry @APPGBritMuslims #IslamophobiaDefined https://t.co/wosBbc7ON9

— Sayeeda Warsi (@SayeedaWarsi) November 27, 2018

The problem is that we still don't have a definition of ‘Islamophobia’ here. We’re told that it’s ‘rooted in racism’. Yes, we get that. And that it’s ‘a type of racism’. But what is ‘Islamophobia’? Some previous definitions are clearer than this new attempt. #IslamophobiaDefined

— Michael Mumisa (@MichaelMumisa) November 29, 2018

To all those who claim that Islam is not a race, check out the conclusion of this parliamentary report:

“Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”

Take THAT, bigots! ✊️🕌https://t.co/cM7ERpjOHA

— Titania McGrath (@TitaniaMcGrath) December 1, 2018

Islamophobia isn’t just anti-Muslim hatred. It’s about everyday discrimination that takes place – targeting Muslimness or perceived Muslimness. It is rooted in racism and is a type of racism. It can be deliberate or unconscious bias. #IslamophobiaDefined https://t.co/gAq6YARvaS

— Wes Streeting MP (@wesstreeting) November 27, 2018

Great to see many academic from @ArabicatLeeds endorse the APPG definition of Islamophobia! https://t.co/WI8xeVdYo4

— Yousuf Farooq (@YousufFarooq2) November 29, 2018

We are delighted to note that the @APPGBritMuslims have
based their definition of Islamophobia on that provided by Prof. Sayyid and
AbdoolKarim Vakil, as part of their submission to the committee. Great to see
that this has been taken on board. #IslamophobiaDefined pic.twitter.com/7KG4R6ZQeJ

— Sociology at Leeds (@SSPLeeds) November 30, 2018

Over 60 top academics have endorsed our definition of #Islamophobia.

A dedicated website highlights our definition of Islamophobiahttps://t.co/OyDOnxwJ91 #IslamophobiaDefined pic.twitter.com/UP78ZieaST

— British Muslims (@APPGBritMuslims) November 28, 2018

I think this poor definition attempt will only make it harder to distinguish real discrimination against Muslims from racism against minority ethnicities. By all means say it is often linked to racism, but to say it always IS a form of racism is a lie. Islam is not a race.

— Will (@willpetetom) November 28, 2018