Labour MP Tahir Ali Calls for Legislation Against Desecration of Religious Texts

In a powerful plea during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Labour MP for Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley, Tahir Ali, called on the government to criminalize the desecration of religious texts. Addressing the Commons amidst Islamophobia Awareness Month, Ali highlighted the dangers of such acts, warning that they fuel “division and hatred” in society.

Citing the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 2022 resolution condemning the desecration of sacred texts, Ali urged the government to act, particularly in light of recent Islamophobic incidents. “Acts of such mindless desecration only serve to fuel division and hatred within our society,” he stated, before asking Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer whether he would support measures to prohibit the desecration of religious texts and the prophets of Abrahamic religions.

While Starmer condemned desecration as “awful” and reiterated his government’s commitment to tackling all forms of hatred, including Islamophobia, he stopped short of committing to new legislation. The exchange has sparked a heated debate, with Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick criticizing Ali’s proposal as a step toward reinstating blasphemy laws, which were abolished in England and Wales in 2008 and in Scotland earlier this year. Jenrick remarked: “Blasphemy laws have no place in the UK.”

The issue has drawn attention to the delicate balance between protecting religious communities from hate and upholding freedom of expression. With rising concerns about Islamophobia and other forms of religious intolerance, Ali’s call has reignited a conversation about how best to promote societal cohesion without compromising democratic values.