LONDON (The Guardian) - 
Prominent UK politicians have written to Steve Reed, secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, urging him to adopt a new definition of Islamophobia. 
Recent statistics in England and Wales have shown a 19 percent rise in hate crimes against Muslims in the last year.
In a letter, the group of 40 MPs said adopting the new definition would be an “important step” in curbing anti-Muslim prejudice.
An independent working group of MPs was established in February to determine the new definition of Islamophobia to address “unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination and hate targeting Muslims or anyone who is perceived to be Muslim.” 
It was chaired by the former attorney general for England and Wales, Dominic Grieve, and included the co-chair of the British Muslim Network, Akeela Ahmed.
The letter said the new definition “comes at a time when unfortunately, Islamophobia continues to increase rapidly, with devastating consequences. In 2025, 45 percent of religious hate crimes were directed towards Muslims.”
It added: “This means Islamophobic hate crimes have risen 92% since 2023 and the adoption of a definition by the government becomes more important than ever.”
Signatories urged Reed to adopt the definition in November during Islamophobia Awareness Month, after the working group submitted their report in October for consultation.
Supporters of a new definition have pointed out that under the 2010 Equality Act, Muslims are not protected from racial discrimination as they are not defined as a racial group.
A previous definition of Islamophobia from the all-party parliamentary group on British Muslims stated: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”