Decision details

10.1

The Director of Policy and Democratic Engagement presented a report proposing that the All-Party Parliamentary Group’s (APPG) definition of Islamophobia and the associated guidance statements be adopted by Sheffield City Council, and requesting that the Strategy and Resources Committee consider particular actions to target Islamophobia as part of its forthcoming consideration of the Equality Framework and action plans.

10.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That Strategy and Resources Policy Committee:-

(a) formally adopt the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims’ definition of Islamophobia, as described in the report, but in doing so agrees that the definition does not and will not be interpreted in such a way as to impinge on protected free-speech rights of any person, and that the term “anti-Muslim hatred” is used in any context where there is the potential for any uncertainty in the intended impact;

(b) formally adopts the associated guidance statements as developed by the Coalition Against Islamophobia; and

(c) request that as part of the action planning process being undertaken to support the Council’s Equality Framework, that specific actions be identified that focus on eliminating Islamophobia.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

In adopting the APPG definition, the council will be taking a first step in allowing it to identify how anti-Muslim hatred manifests itself and functions and therefore, devise meaningful strategies to tackle it. Furthermore, adopting the APPG definition of Islamophobia would signal to British Muslim communities that Sheffield City Council recognises the specific issues that they face, and reassure them that combatting Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred is a priority, in line with our recently adopted race equality commitments and draft equality goals.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Two alternative options were considered:

The first is for Sheffield City Council (SCC) not to adopt the APPG definition of Islamophobia. This was dismissed as it would not support our commitment to become an anti-racist organisation and city, and would not be in line with our Council Plan and Equality Framework commitments.

The second option considered was for SCC to adopt a bespoke definition of Islamophobia or anti-Muslim hatred. This was dismissed because sucha definition would not be widely known or understood and would mean that Sheffield was using a different definition than other places that have adopted the APPG definition