Reform MS urges council to ditch Islamophobia definition arguing Islam ‘deserves hate’
Emily Price
A Reform Member of the Senedd has been branded “vile” after he called on a Welsh council to abandon its adopted definition of “Islamophobia”, arguing that some aspects of Islam are “psychopathic” and “deserved hate”.
In a letter to Cardiff councillors, Caerdydd Penarth MS Joe Martin warned that the city authority was playing a “dangerous game” that seeks to “undo centuries of western enlightenment”.
He argued that the term Islamophobia should not be used to describe criticism of Islam, saying religions are systems of belief rather than races.
The Equality, Human Rights and Social Justice Committee member claimed the meaning of Islamophobia has shifted from describing hostility towards Muslims to discouraging criticism of Islam.
Mr Martin lambasted Cardiff Council’s adoption of the definition proposed by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims in November 2022.
It describes Islamophobia as “rooted in racism” and a “type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.”
Mr Martin argued that Muslims come from a wide range of ethnic and national backgrounds and therefore said the definition was “baseless”.
He also attacked the Welsh Government’s Anti-racist Wales Action Plan in his letter, arguing that terms such as “racist” and “far right” were being increasingly used to shut down debate on issues like immigration.
‘Obsessed’
Mr Martin said: “For decades, the political left has been obsessed with racism.
“It has been allowed to pedal a narrative that society is ‘structurally’ and ‘institutionally’ racist – as laid out in the Anti-racist Wales Action plan. I have called for it to be scrapped too.
“They have created a bogeyman, which does not exist, in an attempt to limit thought, speech and writing.
“‘Far Right’ and ‘racist’ have saturated modern political discourse to a point where the words have become hollow and meaningless.”
Mr Martin concluded by urging the city authority to abandon its adopted definition of “Islamophobia”, warning that retaining it risked restricting free speech and returning Wales to what he described as “medieval blasphemy laws”.
In a later video posted on Facebook, the Reform MS said that some aspects of the religion of Islam “deserve hate” as he urged residents in council areas that have adopted the APPG definition of Islamophobia to write to their councillors calling for it to be scrapped.
Mr Martin said: “Islam isn’t a race, it’s a religion, it’s set of ideas, and some ideas deserve hate.
“For example, the punishment for apostasy, leaving Islam, is death.
“I hate that idea, it’s psychopathic.
“I’m not racist for hating it. I’m normal.”
‘Vile’
Given the size of the Muslim community within Mr Martin’s constituency, questions have been raised about how he can represent all constituents while holding these views.
Plaid Cymru Caerdydd Penarth MS Keira Marshall said: “Joe and I both represent the constituency of Caerdydd Penarth, one of the most diverse constituencies in Wales. Our constituency is home to Cardiff Bay, whose long history of maritime and empire is inseparable from the story of Wales’ Muslim communities.
“The APPG definition is not about restricting debate; it is about recognising and tackling discrimination directed at people because they are, or are perceived to be, Muslim.
“The reality is that Islamophobia is rising in Wales. Behind these rising statistics are real people in our city who increasingly fear abuse, intimidation, and violence because of their faith or because others believe they are Muslim.
“Islamophobia is not a ‘bogeyman which does not exist’; it is a lived reality.
“There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that the rise of far-right politics and inflammatory political rhetoric is associated with increases in hate crime across the UK. Politicians’ words matter.
“They shape public debate, influence attitudes and, ultimately, can affect how people behave towards one another.
“I find Joe Martin’s comments in this letter vile. Joe Martin is entitled to his freedom of speech. That is why he is able to write his letter and express his opinions.
“Equally, others are entitled to challenge those opinions and explain why they believe they are wrong.
“Freedom of speech has never meant freedom from consequence, criticism, or accountability.
“Nor does it include the right to undermine other people’s freedom to live safely, express their identity, or practise their faith without fear of hatred or discrimination.
“That is why the APPG definition of Islamophobia matters, and why I support Cardiff Council’s continued adoption of it. Everyone deserves to live a life free from hate.”
‘Division’
Labour Caerdydd Penarth MS Huw Thomas accused Reform’s Senedd group of using the summer recess to “stir up division”.
Mr Thomas said: “Cardiff Council adopted the APPG definition of Islamophobia following a local grassroots campaign that highlighted constant racist targeting experienced by Muslims living in Cardiff.
“As Council Leader in 2022, I was proud to speak in favour of the motion.
“It’s disappointing but sadly not surprising that a Reform UK MS is spending his summer recess stirring up division to make headlines – he would be better advised using his time engaging with the diverse communities that make up Caerdydd Penarth, and understanding the lived experience of people who’ve had to endure horrific abuse because of their religion.
“As a practicing Christian myself, I cherish the mix of different faiths we have in Cardiff, and I stand in total solidarity with our Muslim communities.
“No one should have to live in fear because of their religion, and elected politicians should be building bridges between communities, not seeking to tear them down.”
Plaid Cymru councillor for the Pentyrch and St Fagans ward Andrea Gibson said: “Mr Martin appears to be wanting to make his name by being controversial.
“When the emails mention ‘Councillors having the guts’, does he not believe that Councillors voted the way they did because that’s how they wanted to vote. Voting with integrity.
“Mr Martin appears to be hell bent of causing division, especially within his constituency which is hugely diverse.”
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We have to get these vile, racist scumbags out of the Senedd at the next election. Its as if they love courting controversy to wind people up
Islamophobia is a very one way process – criticism is allowed only in one direction. The assumption is always that white British people are racist while everyone else is not. My experience differs in that I have seen racism exhibited by all different types and religions. Tom Lehrer’s song “National Brotherhood Week” could have been written this year. We all need to get used to living in a multiethnic multi faith society and we have to accept that people’s views will differ. Tolerance is required from Everyone. The law of the UK should be observed by all people.
We were until the Fat Shanks Poison mixed with Gove’s on top of Call me Dave’s utterly immoral Premiership had spawned Brexit and the Reform berserkers Eton and the Bully Club, Hellfire and Damnation heaped upon a nation, their reward a seat in the Lords, and a fortune in missing wealth…Tolerance for Treasonous Rats…
National Brotherhood Week is a great song, but I don’t suppose many people here have any idea who Tom Lehrer was or what his songs say.
So he wants to see more cases of ordinary, law abiding Muslims being subjected to harassment, violence and death threats? Does he not recognise that some of his own constituents are Muslims? Give your head a wobble you sad little half-man.
You know all the racist party in the Senedd will say and do worse. Nige needs to be obeyed.
No one deserves hate. Not even this reprobate with his ill judged and soon to be dismissed comments. All being well his political career will last as long as the life cycle of mayfly.
Extremist Reform MS Joe Martin should be kicked out of the Senedd for his disgusting racism.