Stuart Curran

1. Islamophobia is not racist. Christianity isn't a race, and neither is Islam 2. "Islamophobia" is an insidious term created to advance an Islamist agenda 3. Under Labour's new "blasphemy law", criticising child marriage or polygamy could be deemed Islamophobic if someone - anyone - "perceives" it so How did we arrive in this chillingly dystopian world? It's important we understand the origin of "Islamophobia" as a tool to advance a radical Islamist agenda through the strategy of victimhood. The term was first popularised by the violent & extremist Muslim Brotherhood as "an ideological weapon to silence critics" of Islam and to "criminalise any criticism of their religious and political beliefs". The term was then (naively?) popularised in the UK by Trevor Phillips, who later lamented how it has been twisted, more often being used as a cudgel to silence dissent and free speech. Labour says "Islamophobia" is racist because most Muslims are non-white. This is absurd. The majority of communists in this world are Chinese. Is it racist to criticise communism? A majority of Catholics are non-white. Is criticism of Catholicism racist? This is the logic of such a risible argument. Sunni and Shia Muslims preach violent hatred towards each other. Are they guilty of "Islamophobia"? If not, why not? We must speak out and vehemently protest the criminalisation of a sinister term which conflates criticism of Islam with hatred of Muslims. "Islamophobia" should be expunged from our vocabulary. The correct phrase should by "anti-Muslim hatred", a hatred as abhorrent as anti-Semitism. It is a cornerstone of free speech to be able to criticize or attack any religion or ideology, including Islamic beliefs, practices and culture -- indeed, Mohammed himself. This is entirely different from hating members of the Muslim faith. The freedom to criticise both religion and ideology has rarely been more important than it is now -- but it has never been at greater risk. How so? When the Labour Party forms Britain's next government it will desperately seek to appease and win back its disaffected Muslim base (much of which is angered over Labour's support for Israel). Labour will do this in part through its proposed "blasphemy law" banning criticism of Islam by incorporating the APPG's chilling definition of Islamophobia into legislation. This will be either through its proposed Race Equality Bill or as standalone legislation. It is expected that Islamophobia will be defined as "a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness”. What is "Muslimness"? Well, for example, under the APPG definition, simply to criticise the Muslim practice of polygamy or child marriage might be deemed Islamophobic if someone -- anyone --perceives it so. It might even affect how one describes Muslim r&pe gangs. This is chilling stuff. Under Labour, free speech will be tested as never before. The oft-quoted definition of Islamophobia as “a word created by fascists, and used by cowards, to manipulate morons”, did not emanate from Christopher Hitchens (that honour belongs to Andrew Cummins). But Mr. Hitchens was no less vociferous in his strident condemnation of the term. Many years ago, with remarkable prescience, he correctly foresaw the sinister erosion of free speech we now see unfolding before us. Hear his prophetic words below and share them widely: