A coalition of Muslim and Palestinian organizations has rejected a push by universities to adopt a new definition of Islamophobia, arguing it would “shield” the institutions from criticism of their contentious new antisemitism definition, and that a unified standard that rejects all racism is what is needed.

Last month, Australian universities confirmed they would adopt the controversial IHRA definition of antisemitism. In response, eight organizations, including the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network and the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, are calling for a unified anti-racism standard that applies to all communities, arguing that separate definitions for racism, like Islamophobia, create double standards.

“The antisemitism definition, soon to be part of university education and complaint schemes, risks suppressing legitimate criticism of Israel,” they said.

“Developing such narrow definitions will result in gaps and a failure to protect all persons from racism, bigotry and discrimination.”

Universities have been consulting with Muslim students and staff as to whether to develop a separate definition for Islamophobia as part of their antiracism commitments, as has been done at Monash University.

The Muslim and pro-Palestinian groups strongly opposed implementing a separate Islamophobia definition, arguing it would “shield” universities from criticism of the antisemitism definition, while also excluding Palestinian voices.

Source: The Guardian