Lord Khan, who initiated the review into the legal definition of Islamophobia, emphasized that a clear and comprehensive definition is necessary for protecting individuals from anti-Muslim hostility.

The government's plans to change the technical legal term to 'anti-Muslim hostility' come after a working group chaired by former Conservative Minister Dominic Grieve was tasked with defining 'unacceptable treatment, prejudice, discrimination, and hate targeting Muslims or anyone perceived to be Muslim.'

The government has acknowledged the increasing concern over Islamophobic hate crimes, with data showing a 20% increase in such incidents last year.

Home Office figures reveal that Muslims are victims in nearly half of all religious hate-based incidents in the UK.

The lack of a clear definition for Islamophobia is said to contribute to underreporting of these crimes.

A previous Labour Party definition of Islamophobia sparked concerns over potential impacts on free speech.

Nevertheless, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated that it will continue to defend freedom of speech while considering the independent Working Group's recommendations regarding a clearer definition of anti-Muslim hatred/Islamophobia.