Decision details

The Director of Communities, Housing and Environment submitted a report which set out a Council and citywide approach towards supporting Muslim communities by addressing anti-Muslim prejudice, and which sought the Board’s endorsement to adopt the Leeds definition of anti-Muslim prejudice, as presented within the report.

The Executive Member for Resources introduced the report in the absence of the Executive Member for Communities. In doing so, it was emphasised that a comprehensive and wide-ranging consultation exercise had been undertaken as part of the development of the Leeds definition of anti-Muslim prejudice.  It was also noted that whilst the agreement of the definition would be a significant step forward, it was acknowledged that there was much work to do in the tackling such prejudice in society.

Members welcomed the proposals within the report and the work which had been undertaken to date, highlighted that the establishment of such a definition was needed, and looked forward to the work which continued in this area, including the establishment of the associated action plan.

In noting the Council’s previous adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of Antisemitism, together with the work currently being undertaken in relation to anti-Muslim prejudice, it was suggested by a Member that next steps should include consideration of further actions which looked to address prejudice in other faiths and religions.

In considering the work which had been undertaken to develop the definition within the report, Members discussed the differences between the terms Islamophobia and anti-Muslim prejudice and the reasons for the approach being proposed.

In conclusion, Members welcomed the proposals and thanked all those who had contributed to the work in this area to date.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the work of the Council undertaken to better understand the extent and perceptions of Anti-Muslim prejudice in the city, as detailed within the submitted report, be noted;

(b)  That the adoption of the Leeds definition of Anti-Muslim prejudice, as set out in paragraph 15 of the submitted report, be endorsed;

(c)  That it be noted that the Elected Members responsible for this work are the Executive Member for Communities, the Executive Member for Resources, and the Chair of the Hate Crime Strategic Board;

(d)  That the Board’s endorsement be given to the Chief Officer, Safer and Stronger Communities to develop and implement an action plan, and report to the appropriate Elected Member led boards and the Director of Communities, Housing and Environment on this matter.