IHRC Head of Advocacy Abed Choudhury looks at how political language has been rendered meaningless by a cynical political class in the UK, an dhow this augurs ill for what was once considered a democracy.

There’s been a lot of reflection on the 20 years since 7/7. Much of it has focused on what went wrong then, what’s been done since, and calls for even more powers to tackle “terrorism” and “extremism.”

But many of the political terms used in the discourse around terrorism and extremism have, over the past two decades, been slowly rendered meaningless (if they ever had any). Most are now just code for saying, “I don’t like this person,” especially when talking about Muslims.

A very recent case in point: the proscription of Palestine Action as a “terrorist” group shows that “terrorism” is often less about public safety and more about protecting the financial or political interests of the powerful. And the Muslim angle? Chris Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, couldn’t help but suggest that the government’s delay in proscribing the group was somehow about appeasing Muslims.

Here are a few terms that have been stripped of meaning and loaded with the political agenda of the speaker. When you hear them, interrogate them. What is the speaker actually saying? Nine times out of ten, it boils down to: “These people are wrong, and I want them to shut up now.”

1. Islamist:

Translation: “This Muslim isn’t behaving how I want them to.” Any Muslim who talks too much about politics, even if that politics is secular in nature. A Muslim’s political engagement is always suspect unless they publicly disavow their Muslim identity. Often used interchangeably with fundamentalist, see below.

2. Terrorist sympathiser

Translation: “You care about dead Muslims in the wrong part of the world.” Usually refers to a Muslim who expresses anger about wars or state violence directed towards Muslim majority nations. Think of the attacks on pro-Palestine demonstrations since October 2023 — where peaceful protest is smeared as sympathy for terror. Useful to chill free speech and smear critics of foreign policy.

3. Extremist

Translation: “I don’t like your conviction, so you need to shut up.” Usually any Muslim who challenges British foreign policy, structural racism, or the state itself. Has become a blanket term used to label dissent, even peaceful dissent, as somehow inherently dangerous.

4. Radicalisation

Translation: “Your idea of Britishness and assimilation is wrong. Let me correct you.” A young Muslim is getting too political in the “wrong” way, reading too much (probably Chomsky or Finkelstein), or growing a beard. Is used to justify referrals to Prevent or suppress activism.

5. Non-violent extremist

Translation: “You’re peaceful, law-abiding even, but I am still going to argue you’re dangerous.” Another catch-all label for those the state can’t criminalise, but still wants to monitor and control. Mainly for Muslims, though it’s use is increasingly expanding to include activist groups the state doesn’t like. Useful for targeting anyone who critiques the state or organises politically in ways that make politicians uncomfortable.

6. British values

Translation: “Agree with us or you’re suspect.” Has become a loyalty test for Muslims – a litmus test, if you will. If you criticise UK foreign policy, racism, or capitalism, maybe you don’t belong.

7. Moderate Muslim

Translation: “Be quiet and be grateful.” Usually applied to Muslims who never criticise Britain or speak too loudly about Palestine – apolitical, polite, and always displaying their loyalty. Also, a very useful term to divide the community: reward the “good” Muslims, punish the “bad” ones.

8. Fundamentalist / Islamic Radical

Translation: “You’re too visibly Muslim for my comfort.” Usually the flip side of the “moderate”, framed as the “bad Muslim.” Used to imply backwardness or fanaticism, but in practice, it’s about outward markers of faith: the wrong clothes, the wrong accent, the wrong ideas. A convenient way to exclude, and mark certain Muslims as inherently suspect, without having to say it outright.

If you want the academic version and more details of the Islamophobic narratives that not only demonise Muslims, but usher in the draconian and authoritarian state (as we are continuously living) and distract from the crisis of the state that is adversely affecting us all in the UK, visit the Countering Islamophobic Narratives section of the IHRC website.

But let’s be honest, those that know, know this already, right?  Will those in power ever move beyond this deliberately vague language, and the authoritarian system it has helped build?  And if not, what will usher in a new and better world for everyone?

Abed Choudhury heads IHRC Advocacy, where he focuses on challenging discrimination, political repression, and human rights abuses through strategic advocacy. With over a decade of experience, he has supported marginalised communities and made submissions to international bodies including the UN and the International Criminal Court. He is also a Director at IHRC Legal and can be found on LinkedIn @AbedChoudhury.