British Sikhs Criticize Islamophobia Definition for Hindering Historical Discourse

British Sikhs, led by the Network of Sikh Organisations (NSO) and Lord Singh of Wimbledon, are strongly opposing a new definition of Islamophobia being considered in the UK. In a letter to Deputy PM Angela Rayner, the NSO expressed ‘serious concerns’ over the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims’ definition, which would prevent saying that ‘Muslims spread Islam by the sword.’ British Sikhs argue this restricts their ability to discuss their own faith’s history, particularly the martyrdom of Sikh Gurus who resisted forced conversions under Mughal rule. Both Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Arjan were arrested by the Mughals and given the option to convert to Islam or die by execution. The APPG’s definition, adopted by the Labour Party under Jeremy Corbyn, states that ‘Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.’ The NSO contends this definition distorts historical facts, citing examples of continued persecution of minority groups under Islamic regimes, such as the targeted killings of Sikhs and Hindus in Afghanistan and persecution in Pakistan in the past few decades. The appeal followed Rayner’s comments in British Parliament on 2 Sep, where she emphasized that any new definition must consider multiple perspectives and the potential impact on different communities. Raynar also said, ‘Much of last month’s violent disorder was Islamophobic, and the targeting of Muslims shows that we need to go further and faster in tackling this vile hatred, which was fuelled by fake news,’ referring to the mass race riots that erupted in England in August, which targeted minorities, primarily Muslims.