The Archbishops of Canterbury: The UK’s new definition of extremism targets Muslim communities

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have warned that the government’s new extremism definition risks disproportionately targeting Muslim communities and “driving us apart”.

The new definition is expected to be announced by Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, on Thursday.

The Times says he will also announce the creation of a new counter-extremism “centre of excellence” whose job will be to name groups and individuals who promote an ideology based on intolerance, hatred or violence that aims to undermine or overturn the rights and freedoms of others, undermines the UK’s liberal system of democracy, or intentionally creates a permissive environment for others to do so.

The Guardian reports that Mr Gove is intending to name in parliament some of the groups falling within the new definition of extremism, despite legal implications.

The Archbishops warn that labelling a multi-faceted problem as hateful extremism may “vilify the wrong people and risk yet more division”.