Maqsood Ahmed, OBE
1. Context
• Shift from religious protection → human rights & public order
• Strong emphasis on freedom of expression under the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 10)
•Government (2026) framing: protect people, not beliefs
2. Definition
•Blasphemy (historical): Insulting or showing contempt for God, prophets, or sacred texts
•Modern UK position:
oNo crime of blasphemy (mostly abolished)
oInsulting religion = lawful expression
oCrime only if it targets people (not ideas)
3. History & Legal Protection
•Historically protected only Church of England
•Abolished:
oEngland & Wales → Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008
oScotland → Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 (effective 2024)
•Northern Ireland:
oBlasphemy still on books (unenforced; under reform 2026)
4. Which Religions Were Protected
•Historically: Only Christianity (Anglicanism)
•Not protected: Islam, Judaism, Catholicism, others
•Post-2006 laws (e.g. Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006):
oProtect all believers equally
oBut not their doctrines or sacred figures
5. What Has Changed Now (Post-Abolition)
•Clear legal distinction:
oProtected: People (believers)
oNot protected: God, prophets, scriptures
•2026 policy shift:
o“Islamophobia” → “Anti-Muslim Hostility”
oFocus on actions against people only
•Law explicitly allows:
oCriticism, satire, ridicule of religion
•Confirmed by courts (2026):
oFreedom includes right to “offend, shock, or disturb”
6. Implications (General & Muslims in Particular)
General (All Faiths):
•Strong protection from:
oViolence, harassment, discrimination
oUnder:
o Equality Act 2010
o Public Order Act 1986
• No protection from:
o Insult, mockery of beliefs or symbols
Muslims (Specific Impact):
•Protected as individuals / community
•Not protected:
oAllah, Prophet, Qur’an (as sacred entities)
•Key tension:
o Perceived “two-tier system”:
o High protection for people
o Zero protection for sacred
7. How Faith Communities Are Protected Today
• Legal Protections:
o Hate crime laws → prevent incitement to hatred
o Equality law → prevent discrimination
o Public order law → prevent disorder/harassment
• Government Strategy (2026):
o Protect:
o Worship, dress, identity, institutions
o Not protect:
o Religious “sentiment” or sacred symbols
•Bottom Line:
o “You are protected in your right to believe
o Others are protected in their right to criticise or mock”
One-Line Summary
• Modern UK law protects the believer fully—but treats religion itself as an open, criticisable idea.
•Islam on blasphemy
• This is vert emotional issue among the Muslim Communities in different part of the World. There is some faith element but more of culture and respect of the religion and the All Prophets. Muslim Communities take this more seriously than the other Abrahamic Faiths. It is worth Noting that that here in UK and the Europe/ West it is more of reaction to any insult to the Faiths or anything to do with the religion. This is in my view immigrant minorities mindset that they are the custodians of the Faith; they must protect it. Also, the element of the identity(crises) comes into it debate. British verse Islam. I my view both can go hand in hand. The British values do not contradict Islamic Values. I don’t see any conflict between the two.
•Some so called self-made/ Selected / self-represented leaders would contaminate the Faith with local/ Globalpolitics and run with it. Best or verse example is Stanic Verses:
Islam – between peace and submission
Islam stems from the word ‘Salam’ which means ‘peace’. Salam is the greeting of Muslims (AsalamAlaykum). Importantly, ‘Salam’ also means ‘submission’. A ‘Muslim’ (which stems from the same family of words) is one who submits to the commands of Allah.
The fact that Salam can mean ‘peace’ and ‘submission’ is deliberate. Peace can only be achieved in a community when its inhabitants ‘submit’ to a set of guidelines, laws and orders. When they all do, then peace prevails. For example, in order to achieve peace on the road, all road users submit to certain rules as explained by the Highway Code.
For a Muslim, blasphemy laws are no different. In pursuit of happiness and peace for everyone, Muslims are required to submit to certain laws. One of the most important ones is to respect other religions. Muslims are not allowed to insult other faiths in any shape or form. The foundation for Islam’s position on blasphemy can be found in this verse:
‘And do not insult those who worship besides Allah, lest they insult Allah wrongfully without knowledge’ (6: 108).
If Muslims insult other religions, then the result will be unrest. Like the verse explains, it will only lead to others insulting Allah in return.
Blasphemy laws in Islam are not in place to limit freedom of expression/thought. Islam wholeheartedly believes in freedom; the only difference is that Muslims always couple the word ‘freedom’ with ‘responsibility’. If we want the freedom to say what we want, we must also assume the responsibility for any harm done later as a result.
As for the Shariah punishment set for certain blasphemous crimes, for a large part they are simply a deterrent. In practice, they can never be implemented in this day and age. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) faced a barrage of insults during his lifetime, in Makka and al-Madinah. He did not retaliate at all, and no one was ever punished by the Prophet Muhammad in His lifetime.
