Leftist lawmakers in Britain are pushing for new legislation that would make possessing photos of Muslim women without their hijabs a criminal offense, equating it to possessing child pornography.
The proposal, introduced by the Women and Equalities Committee in the House of Commons, seeks to expand existing revenge porn laws to include “non-consensual intimate images” of Muslim women if taken without permission. If approved by government ministers, the law could take effect as early as this year, The Daily Mail reported.
Currently, British law defines “intimate” images as those depicting nudity, sexual activity, or bathroom use. The new measure, however, would classify images of unveiled Muslim women under the same category, carrying severe penalties, including potential prison sentences.
Critics argue the proposal goes too far. David Spencer of the Policy Exchange think tank warned that law enforcement resources are already stretched thin. “The police cannot be expected to wade into so-called ‘cultural’ issues when officers are already struggling to deal with the volume of stabbings, sexual assaults, and thefts that occur every day,” he said.
The debate over special legal protections for Muslims comes as the Labour government considers adopting a controversial definition of Islamophobia that critics say could create a “backdoor” blasphemy law. The definition, set by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in 2018, labels critiques of Islamic history—such as claims that Islam spread by the sword—as “classic Islamophobia.”
Opponents warn the proposed law could stifle free speech and create a dangerous precedent of enforcing religious customs through legal mandates. As Britain faces rising crime rates and policing challenges, the push for cultural protections is sparking intense debate over legal priorities and individual freedoms.
