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Our articles provide in-depth analysis and commentary on legislation and policy developments that impact Muslim communities in the UK. We produce briefings, legal responses, and research-led insights to inform public debate, support advocacy efforts, and equip allies with accurate, accessible information.

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· January 26, 2026 ·

1 min read

#Inclusion#Equality

MLegal Associates Explore Equality, Islamophobia, and Public Order

Last week, our MLegal Associates came together for an important milestone in their journey, presenting the work they have been developing across a range of critical areas including equalities, Islamophobia, counter-terrorism, public order, and hate crime.

 

Working collaboratively in groups, the Associates undertook focused research into these complex and often interconnected topics. Their presentations brought together internal colleagues and external guests, creating a thoughtful and engaging space to explore how these issues operate in practice, where challenges remain, and how policy, law, and lived experience intersect.

 

Each presentation led to thoughtful discussion, allowing participants to reflect on the research, share different perspectives, and highlight the value of dialogue in addressing issues affecting marginalised communities.

 

The day concluded with a collective discussion on Islamophobia, allowing the cohort to delve deeper into its contemporary forms, its impact, and the ways it continues to shape social and political landscapes. It was a valuable opportunity for shared learning and critical reflection.

 

We are proud of the dedication and insight shown by our MLegal Associates and look forward to supporting them as they continue to develop their skills, knowledge, and contributions towards a more just and inclusive society.

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#Inclusion

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At the end of last month, we marked a significant milestone as we welcomed our first cohort of MLegal Associates. We began the day by exploring a foundational topic: understanding Islamophobia.   We opened with a discussion on how young people perceive Islamophobia, before delving deeper into its contemporary forms and the multiple dimensions through which it manifests. Together, we unpacked what current legislation covers, the gaps that still exist, and how these relate to direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, victimisation, perceptions, and association.   Our cohort also engaged in a thoughtful examination of political narratives, focusing on how polarisation emerges and what it means to bring people together within political spaces. We explored the importance of policymaking, relationship-building, and navigating the complexities of the political landscape.   We continued by looking at equalities frameworks, and later examined extremism, including the complexities and implications it presents.   Well done to all the Associates in the cohort who were selected – we’re excited to support your journey ahead. Congratulations to: Kanan Dadashzade, Sahana Kalam, Hannah Pathan, Halil Karakus, Akilaah Rafeek, Iman Jaura, Hamza Ahmad, and Haroon Shah.   A huge thank you to Yunus Emre Enstitüsü for generously providing us with space for this training session.   We look forward to continuing this journey with our new Associates as they grow, learn, and contribute to shaping a fairer and more inclusive society.

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#Human Rights#Equality

MLegal’s Response to the Independent Working Group’s Definition of Islamophobia

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#Equality

MLegal Engages Young People in First-Hand Parliamentary Experience

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Supporting New Research: MLegal Funds Runnymede Trust’s Report on Islamophobia

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#Equality#Inclusion#Human Rights#Justice & Accountability

M-Legal Submits Evidence to Parliamentary Inquiry on Gendered Islamophobia

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#Human Rights

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#Equality#Justice & Accountability#Human Rights#Inclusion

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M-Legal has submitted its formal response to the UK Government’s consultation on extending mandatory pay gap reporting to cover ethnicity and disability. These proposals, part of the draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill, offer a critical opportunity to improve workplace transparency, strengthen legal coherence, and address persistent structural inequalities across the UK economy.   What Is The Consultation About?   Since 2017, large employers have been required to report annually on gender pay gaps. The Government is now considering whether similar obligations should apply to ethnicity and disability. The consultation covers how data should be collected, reported, and acted upon, and explores whether public bodies should have additional duties to monitor recruitment, retention and progression.   This marks a key moment in the evolving discussion around fairness at work—and the role of law and data in realising it.   Why M-Legal Is Responding   M-Legal funds support and strategic litigation for individuals and communities facing structural discrimination, particularly where race, religion, and class intersect. We have a long-standing interest in the way UK legal frameworks fall short in protecting racialised and religious minorities, especially those whose experiences of discrimination are rendered invisible by outdated or fragmented definitions of race.   We view pay gap reporting as more than a technical requirement. It is a tool that, if designed well, can help challenge deep-rooted patterns of exclusion in recruitment, progression, and reward—particularly for those at the sharpest end of institutional bias.

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#Equality

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#Justice & Accountability

MLegal’s Initial Response to the Independent Commission on Counter-Terrorism

MLegal is committed to navigating the complex challenge of balancing security imperatives with the protection of human rights and civil liberties of all citizens. It, therefore, recognises the important work of the Independent Commission on Counter-Terrorism and welcomes its report.   MLegal welcomes and supports many of the insights and recommendations in the report, particularly on strengthening oversight and accountability in counter-terrorism work, narrowing the definition of terrorism, reforming the Prevent strategy, ensuring proportionate use of counter-terrorism policing powers, establishing clearer evidential thresholds for terrorist intent in precursor offences, safeguarding fairness in closed material procedures, balancing national security and democratic rights in proscription cases, balancing security with the needs of humanitarian organisations in counter-terrorism financing provisions, and restoring fairness and proportionality in citizenship laws. There are other insights and recommendations in the report that we will further consult the Muslim communities on – communities that have been particularly impacted by terrorism legislation, policy and practice.   Whilst we appreciate the great work that the Independent Commission has undertaken and reported on, we note that the Commission’s focus was predominantly on the Prevent and Pursue aspects of CONTEST, the UK’s strategy on counter-terrorism. The report does not cover the Protect and Prepare elements of the strategy. Recent activities by the far-right, and consequently the sharp rise in hostilities against Muslim communities, underscore the urgent need to develop all elements of the counter-terrorism strategy more comprehensively, particularly in terms of protecting potential Muslim community targets from any large-scale terrorist atrocities and preparing for any such eventuality. Thus, we will also be consulting Muslim communities on these aspects of the counter-terrorism strategy.   In the coming weeks, therefore, MLegal will consult not only on what is in the Commission’s report but also what is missing from it. We will be consulting with experts and grassroots organisations and leaders for their insights. We feel this consultation is essential to ensure that our response to the report reflects the experiences, concerns and thoughts of those who are most significantly impacted by the current counter-terrorism regime. In due course, therefore, MLegal will provide a more comprehensive response to the Commission’s report that reflects this consultation and provides decision makers greater insight into how the report and its recommendations have been received by the communities possibly most impacted by its contents.

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#Equality#Inclusion#Human Rights#Justice & Accountability

M-Legal Presents Evidence on Defining Islamophobia to Government Working Group

Last month, M-Legal submitted evidence to the UK Government’s Working Group on Anti-Muslim Hatred/Islamophobia Definition — an independent panel tasked with recommending a national, non-statutory definition that can be used consistently across public policy and institutions.   Our submission was informed by three roundtable meetings with Muslim community organisations, legal practitioners, and civil society leaders, exploring how Islamophobia is experienced in education, policing, media, housing, and public life. These conversations ensured the proposed definition reflects lived realities and commands broad community confidence.   We also met members of the Working Group in person to present our legal analysis, community evidence, and recommendations.   A Comprehensive Definition   Drawing on the expertise of our Chair and informed by UN, EU, and OSCE best practice, our submission argues that Islamophobia must be recognised as religious bigotry, racial bigotry, or a complex combination of both — racialised religious bigotry.   It manifests across three interconnected domains:   Othering – dehumanising narratives, stereotyping, and exclusion from public life. Discrimination – structural and institutional barriers in services, education, housing, and employment. Hostility – hate speech, incitement, and violence.   While it can occur in purely religious or purely racial forms, it is most often an overlap of the two — a point that should be explicit in any agreed definition.

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