Finsbury Park Mosque’s chairman has expressed his disappointment at the government’s decision to drop plans to establish an official definition of Islamophobia.
Ahead Islamophobia Awareness Month in November, it was reported that the government had dropped plans for a formal definition of Islamophobia - something it said in May 2019 it would adopt.
Communities secretary Michael Gove has previously spoken against a proposed definition arguing that an official definition would bring “dangers” to free speech.
Labour has criticised government inaction and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC ) has said only that it will outline its "next steps in due course".
A DLUHC spokesperson said: “Any anti-Muslim hatred is abhorrent and we remain committed to stamping out all forms of religious prejudice. We will outline our next steps in due course.”
Mohammed Kozbar, chairman of Finsbury Park Mosque, said: “It’s really sad for the government to pull from their promises three years ago.”
According to Home Office data, 42 per cent of all hate crimes reported between 2021-2022 were targeted at Muslims. This equates to more than 3,400 incidents.
In 2020-2021, the percentage of hate crimes against Muslims was 45pc but this translates into just over 2,700 incidents.
Mr Kozbar said some Muslims fear coming to the mosque for worship, including visibly Muslim women, some of whom have been attacked.
“I know many of the members from our community are subject to Islamophobia, especially women who are vulnerable because they are the weakest link in their view,” he said.
After Boris Johnson compared Muslim women who wear the face veil to “letterboxes” in 2018, hate crime against Muslims increased by 375pc.
Mr Kozbar said tackling Islamophobia cannot fall wholly on local communities, and that it requires action at an institutional level.
He said the awareness month was an opportunity to spread awareness of Islamophobia and that the mosque encourages individuals to lobby their MPs and to write to government.
“It’s obvious that the government are not taking Islamophobia seriously," he said.
“We are not second-class citizens. We are Muslim British people. Proud of being Muslim and proud of being British.”
A DLUHC spokesperson said: “Any anti-Muslim hatred is abhorrent, and we remain committed to stamping out all forms of religious prejudice. We will outline our next steps in due course.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here