Concerns have been raised in the United Kingdom after a member of parliament (MP) from the ruling Labour Party advocated for measures that would prohibit the desecration of religious texts and the prophets of the Abrahamic religions, which some critics considered a possible reintroduction of blasphemy laws in the country.
Here is the moment that Labour MP, Tahir Ali, asked the Prime Minister to essentially introduce a new blasphemy law in the UK.
The Prime Minister didn’t rule it out, saying “we are committed to tackling all forms of hatred”.
Free speech in the United Kingdom is under threat. pic.twitter.com/OWvvwh3mtr— James Esses (@JamesEsses) November 27, 2024
Tahir Ali, the Labour MP for Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley, stoked controversy after he asked British Prime Minister Keir Starmer if he would consider introducing legislation that would legally protect religious texts and prophets, especially from the Abrahamic religions, from desecration.
Ali, who represents the constituency with the second most number of Muslims, with over half of its residents following the Islamic faith, asked the Prime Minister during Prime Minister’s Questions, where he asked if Starmer would “commit to introducing measures to prohibit the desecration of all religious texts and the prophets of the Abrahamic religions.”
The MP added that “November marks Islamophobia awareness month” and mentioned that “last year, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution condemning the desecration of religious texts, including the Quran, despite opposition from the previous government.”
He can fuck right off. It's my guess that there'll be a national book burning if this is even entertained.
— (@_QueenMeabh) November 27, 2024
“Acts of such mindless desecration only serve to fuel division and hatred within our society,” Ali continued.
While Starmer did not directly answer Ali’s questions, he refused to rule out the possibility of the British government introducing such legislation, calling desecration “awful” and thinking “it should be condemned across the House.”
"We are committed to tackling all forms of hatred and division, including Islamophobia in all its forms," Starmer said.
Keep going Britain.. Chase all your best over to America.. Like last time
— Eric (@erictindallgvl) November 27, 2024
While there is no indication as to whether the government would pass legislation outlawing the desecration of religious texts and personalities, many critics and organizations expressed their doubts over Ali advocating for blasphemy laws to be reintroduced into the UK during the Prime Minister’s Questions.
Concerns over the possible reintroduction of blasphemy laws in the UK in recent years also come after past cases such as a teacher at Batley Grammar School being forced into hiding in 2021 over a cartoon of Prophet Muhammad and four students in Wakefield being suspended in 2023 over a copy of the Quran being damaged.
"Alarmingly, Keir Starmer's response is not a flat-out refusal. Blasphemy laws have no place in the UK." Lara Brown, a Senior Research Fellow at Policy Exchange, a leading British think tank, has said.
This is definitely an attack on free speech under the guise of Islamophobia. Next will be legislation and then comes there favourite part. Fines
— B (@2bods1dream) November 27, 2024
The National Secular Society (NSS) has also urged the British government to reject calls for blasphemy laws to be reintroduced in the UK, arguing that “the destruction of religious books should not be equated with hatred against individuals.”
"Calls for the legal protection of religious texts and figures should be seen for what they are – a demand for the reintroduction of blasphemy laws.” Jack Rivington, the spokesperson for the NSS, said.
"In the face of such demands, the Government should make clear it will uphold the right to freedom of speech, not lend legitimacy to blasphemy as a concept,” he added.
"Freedom of speech should be seen as essential to the protection of minority religious communities, not in conflict. We urge the Government to ensure any approach to tackling religious hatred in no way restricts fundamental democratic freedoms such as free expression," he also said.
