Labour Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been singled out by Lord Falconer over opposition to the Assisted Dying Bill [Getty]
As the UK prepares for a landmark vote on the controversial assisted dying bill, Muslim MPs have found themselves under scrutiny, with some being allegedly “singled out” for their opposition to the proposed legislation.
The bill, which is due for a vote in the House of Commons on Friday, would legalise assisted death for terminally ill adults in England and Wales under strict conditions.
The controversy erupted after Lord Charlie Falconer, a member of the House of Lords and former Labour cabinet minister, accused Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood of “imposing her religious beliefs on everybody else” by opposing the bill.
His comments have sparked a wave of criticism, with some political figures accusing Lord Falconer of targeting Muslim MPs for the stances while overlooking similar positions held by non-Muslim MPs.
Former Labour NEC member and prominent anti-racism activist Mish Rahman voiced his concerns The New Arab, arguing that Falconer’s comments perpetuate harmful stereotypes about Muslim politicians.
‘A dangerous precedent for Muslim politicians’
“The framing of Shabana Mahmood’s position as “imposing her religious beliefs” reinforces harmful stereotypes implying that a Muslim MP’s actions are dictated by religion rather than moral, ethical, or legal considerations, which other MPs are assumed to make independently.
“This narrative sets a dangerous precedent for how Muslim women in leadership are perceived and treated,” Mr Rahman says.
He claimed that non-Muslim MPs, such as Health Secretary Wes Streeting – who has openly identified as a devout Christian – have not faced similar scrutiny for their views on the assisted dying bill.
“This double standard undermines the legitimacy of Muslim MPs’ perspectives, whether secular or faith-based, and suggests that their opinions are less valid or more suspect than those of their non-Muslim counterparts,” he adds.
The comments, he said, reflect a broader pattern of Islamophobia within political discourse, particularly from figures like Falconer, whose political background is tied to the “hostile environment” created by the Labour Party during the leadership of Tony Blair.
The Assisted Dying Bill, proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater in mid-October, aims to allow assisted death for adults who are terminally ill, provided they are over 18, have mental capacity, and have six months or less to live, with the consent of two medical professionals.
The legislation has sparked fierce debate across the political spectrum, with strong opposition from religious groups and some medical professionals, while others argue it offers a compassionate choice for those suffering from terminal conditions.
Singling out Muslims?
Zara Mohammed, president of the Muslim Council of Britain, the UK’s most prominent Muslim organisation, also weighed in on the controversy.
She questioned whether Lord Falconer’s objection to religious perspectives in public debate applies equally to all politicians of faith.
“One must ask whether his position that religious views should be excluded from the debate applies only to Muslim public figures or to all MPs whose faith informs their stance on the Assisted Dying Bill,” Ms Mohammed tells The New Arab.
The debate around the bill has been complicated by the wider issue of religious influence in politics, particularly regarding Muslim MPs.
Critics argue that singling out Muslim politicians for their faith-based views fosters a climate of exclusion, undermining their ability to represent their constituents based on personal conscience, whether religious or secular.
Mr Rahman emphasised that the Labour Party, which claims to stand for anti-racism and equality, has not adequately addressed the issue of Islamophobia within its ranks.
He said: “In the Labour Party’s hierarchy of racism, Islamophobia isn’t taken as seriously. If Mr Falconer had made a similar comment about a Christian or Jewish or someone of any other faith, Keir Starmer’s response would have been very different.”
As the vote on the assisted dying bill looms, the role of Muslim MPs in the debate has become a flashpoint, raising broader questions about the intersection of faith, politics, and public policy in the UK.
With the vote set to take place tomorrow, all eyes will be on the government’s response to the growing criticism and whether the voices of Muslim MPs will continue to be marginalised or respected in the national conversation.
The New Arab has reached out to Lord Falconer and the Labour Party for comment.
