The UK government's new social cohesion action plan and the introduction of a working definition of anti-Muslim hostility have prompted a thoughtful and measured response from the Evangelical Alliance, whose head of public policy Alicia Edmund has published a detailed analysis of what the new framework means for churches engaged in evangelism and outreach to Muslim communities.

Edmund's piece is careful to distinguish between what the EA welcomes and what it finds concerning. On the positive side, the Alliance welcomes the government's stated commitment not to prohibit free speech or stop issues being raised in the public interest on Islam or any religious minority. The choice of the phrase 'anti-Muslim hostility' rather than 'Islamophobia' is also seen as helpful, as it focuses on tackling harassment and discrimination towards individuals rather than placing theological criticism of a religion beyond the pale.

However, Edmund identifies specific phrasing within the definition that she argues conflates religious and racial identity in ways that could make it unclear whether sharing testimonies of Muslims converting to Christianity, or developing evangelistic materials for Muslim outreach, might fall foul of the definition. The controversy surrounding a Conservative MP's description of the Open Iftar in Trafalgar Square as 'Islamic domination' — and the subsequent disagreement about whether this constitutes anti-Muslim hostility or permissible religious criticism — illustrates precisely the ambiguity that the EA is concerned about.

The article closes with a pastoral note drawn from Colossians 4: church leaders and ministries should not be deterred from their gospel outreach by this definition or by newspaper controversy, but should continue to share their faith with grace, wisdom, and a posture of love towards all. It is a model of how to engage the public square without either retreating from it or losing sight of the church's primary calling.