All posts tagged: hostility

Revealed: All Members Of UK Government’s ‘Anti-Muslim Hostility’ Group Have Islamist Links

Revealed: All Members Of UK Government’s ‘Anti-Muslim Hostility’ Group Have Islamist Links

Authored by Steve Watson via Modernity.news, The UK Labour government’s new definition of “anti-Muslim hostility” – rebranded from “Islamophobia” – is being shaped by a working group where every single member has links to Islamist organisations. The details are exposed in the Free Speech Union’s latest investigative briefing which highlights ties between the group members and the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) and Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND), groups that governments since 2009 have refused to engage with due to their extreme views.  One member, Baroness Gohir, tweeted in support of Hamas in 2014. Another stood for the far-left, Islamist-supporting Respect Party. The Free Speech Union’s latest investigative briefing reveals that ALL FIVE members of the Government’s working group tasked with defining “Islamophobia” — now rebranded as “anti-Muslim hostility” — have troubling links to Islamist organisations. These include the Muslim Council… https://t.co/MZsgc4amKF — The Free Speech Union (@SpeechUnion) April 8, 2026 As the Free Speech Union states: “In a free society, no religion should enjoy greater protection than others — nor be shielded from legitimate criticism …

Metacognitive training reduces hostility between left-wing and right-wing voters

Metacognitive training reduces hostility between left-wing and right-wing voters

A recent study published in Political Psychology suggests that a brief psychological intervention can reduce hostile attitudes between opposing political groups. By exposing people to surprising facts that challenge their political stereotypes, scientists found that individuals on both the political left and right became more open-minded toward their rivals. The findings provide evidence that simple exercises in rethinking our own certainty might help ease rising political tensions. In many democratic societies around the world, political polarization and intolerance have escalated. This growing divide is often accompanied by acts of violence and hostility directed at individuals based on their political affiliations. Opposing groups tend to dehumanize each other, viewing their rivals as severe threats to democracy itself. In Germany, this hostility is particularly intense between two major political factions. Members of the left-leaning Green Party and the right-wing Alternative for Germany party are the most frequent targets of politically motivated hostility and violence. The Alternative for Germany party advocates for strict immigration policies and is monitored by some intelligence agencies as a suspected extremist group. The …

Humanists UK welcomes definition of anti-Muslim hostility – Humanists UK

Humanists UK welcomes definition of anti-Muslim hostility – Humanists UK

Humanists UK welcomes the newly proposed definition of anti-Muslim hostility, and commends the “Working Group on Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition” for striking the appropriate balance of restricting speech that is harmful to people – whether they are Muslims or perceived to be Muslims – while rightly protecting speech that is critical of Islam as a religion. The new definition is: ‘Anti-Muslim hostility is intentionally engaging in, assisting or encouraging criminal acts – including acts of violence, vandalism, harassment, or intimidation, whether physical, verbal, written or electronically communicated – that are directed at Muslims because of their religion or at those who are perceived to be Muslim, including where that perception is based on assumptions about ethnicity, race or appearance. ‘It is also the prejudicial stereotyping of Muslims, or people perceived to be Muslim includingbecause of their ethnic or racial backgrounds or their appearance, and treating them as acollective group defined by fixed and negative characteristics, with the intention ofencouraging hatred against them, irrespective of their actual opinions, beliefs or actions asIndividuals. ‘It is engaging in unlawful …

Researchers discovered a surprising link between ignored hostility and crime

Researchers discovered a surprising link between ignored hostility and crime

A recent study published in the journal Deviant Behavior reveals that people who endure negative treatment are more likely to express an intention to commit future crimes, even when they do not consciously recognize their mistreatment. Independent observers can identify this unseen adversity, showing that hidden emotional burdens can shape human actions. These unacknowledged experiences carry weight, altering behavior beneath the surface of conscious thought. Criminologists study how hardship influences human behavior to better understand the root causes of crime. According to a prominent framework called general strain theory, experiencing aversive events causes negative emotions. These emotions, particularly anger, can prompt individuals to engage in rule-breaking or illegal activities as a way to cope with their distress. In this theoretical context, a strain is simply a negative experience, such as being treated poorly by others or failing to achieve a personal goal. Historically, researchers measure this hardship by asking individuals to report the negative events in their own lives. This self-reported measurement captures what academics call perceived strain, representing the individual’s own understanding of their …

NSS concerned by leaked anti-Muslim hostility definition

NSS concerned by leaked anti-Muslim hostility definition

The National Secular Society has raised concerns about the reported wording of a definition of anti-Muslim hostility being considered by the Government. A working group tasked with developing a definition of anti-Muslim hatred / Islamophobia is understood to have delivered its findings to the Government in October. According to the BBC, the wording of the definition endorsed by the working group omits the term ‘Islamophobia’ – a move welcomed by the NSS, and says: “Anti-Muslim hostility is engaging in or encouraging criminal acts, including acts of violence, vandalism of property, and harassment and intimidation whether physical, verbal, written or electronically communicated, which is directed at Muslims or those perceived to be Muslims because of their religion, ethnicity or appearance. “It is also the prejudicial stereotyping and racialisation of Muslims, as part of a collective group with set characteristics, to stir up hatred against them, irrespective of their actual opinions, beliefs or actions as individuals. “It is engaging in prohibited discrimination where the relevant conduct – including the creation or use of practices and biases within …

RISE advisers reveal ‘hostility’ from ‘stuck’ schools

RISE advisers reveal ‘hostility’ from ‘stuck’ schools

More from this theme Recent articles Leaders recruited to the government’s RISE improvement programme have faced “hostility” and resistance from the schools they are trying to turn around, an adviser said. Another added he has faced questions over whether he was “trying to take over” one of schools he was appointed to support.  It comes as officials working on Labour’s improvement scheme reveal the teams could be expanded further in the new year, with regional plans also earmarked for release next year.  ‘All of us have faced hostility’ Speaking at the Schools and Academies Show on Thursday, west Midlands RISE adviser Paul Drew said: “I think all of us advisors have actually had some hostility. “It’s about getting that openness and that transparency and saying, ‘Actually, we’re working together on this – this isn’t done to, this is done with.’” Christopher Mansell, another adviser and former CEO of the Birmingham Diocese Multi-Academy Trust, added one of his schools was “very mistrusting of the programme”.  It took “a few visits” for him to “start breaking that …