Headlines
Britain Sets New Definition of anti-Muslim Hostility
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 10, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 1, 2026
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Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 10, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 1, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleBritain has unveiled a non‑statutory advisory definition of “anti‑Muslim hostility” to guide institutions in identifying abuse targeting Muslims—amid a record rise in religious hate crimes, with Muslim victims comprising nearly half of such offences in the year ending March 2025.
By Sam Tabahriti
LONDON, March 10 (Reuters) - Britain has set out a new advisory definition of what it calls anti-Muslim hostility, a long-anticipated step in its plan to clarify how authorities should identify and address abuse targeting Muslims, which is at record levels.
The move follows years of political deadlock over how to define anti-Muslim hatred in a way that helps consistent application of the law, but does not shut down or criminalise open debate about Islamist extremism.
There were almost 4,500 hate crimes targeting Muslims in the year ending March 2025, accounting for nearly half of all religiously motivated offences in England and Wales. This data also includes people wrongly assumed to be Muslim.
The new definition, which is not legally binding, includes criminal acts such as violence, vandalism, harassment, intimidation and prejudicial stereotyping that is directed at Muslims or people perceived to be Muslim.
The government said the definition was needed to protect people from "unacceptable hostile behaviour that seeks to intimidate and divide," and that rights to free expression were unchanged.
Lawful criticism of religious beliefs, including Islam, remained protected, it added.
Opposition lawmakers said the definition risked creating a "blasphemy law" and blurred the line between legitimate criticism of religious beliefs and unlawful hate speech.
Muslim, Jewish and humanist groups said the definition was a constructive step that would help institutions respond more consistently to abuse, provided it was implemented carefully and without curbing free expression.
(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; editing by William James)
Britain's new definition includes criminal acts like violence, vandalism, harassment, intimidation, and prejudicial stereotyping directed at Muslims or those perceived as Muslim.
No, the new advisory definition is not legally binding. It serves as guidance for identifying and addressing anti-Muslim abuse.
No, lawful criticism of religious beliefs, including Islam, remains protected under the new definition.
Almost 4,500 hate crimes targeting Muslims were recorded in the year ending March 2025, representing nearly half of all religiously motivated offences.
Britain introduced the definition to provide clear guidance for authorities and ensure consistent application of laws while protecting free speech.
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