Anti-terrorism: Hate Speech

Baroness Afshar Excerpts

Wednesday 27th June 2018 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Pinnock (LD)]

My Lords—

[Baroness Afshar (CB)]

My Lords—

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach (Con)]

My Lords, I think that we should hear from the Lib Dems and then there will be time for the Cross-Benchers.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth]

My Lords, I very much agree with the noble Baroness on that issue. She will know, as I do, that the great mass of people in this country want the cohesive communities that, for the most part, we have. As I go around the country, I see that. That is the norm, but we need to ensure that it is universally the case, which, sadly, it is not yet, across all our communities.

[Baroness Afshar]

My Lords, as a teacher of Islamic law, I should like to make a correction. Islam accepts all religions that preceded it—all religions of the book are accepted and respected. This is a Koranic teaching; therefore, there is no time or respect for anyone who demonises any religion, and that should include Islam as well.

[Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth]

My Lords, I am most grateful to the noble Baroness, who speaks with great authority on the issue. I am sure that the whole House will take note. As I said, as I go around the country and visit mosques and other religious institutions, evidence of what is happening up and down Britain is that it is exactly as she said.