HL Deb 09 November 1998 vol 594 c74WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider Muslims to be members of a "racial group" protected against racial discrimination by the Race Relations Act 1976. [HL3655]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Muslims are entitled to protection under the Race Relations Act if it can be demonstrated that they have suffered discrimination on racial grounds. It is for the courts to determine whether a particular group constitutes a "racial group" within the terms of the Act. Case law has so far determined that Jews and Sikhs constitute "ethnic groups" within the meaning of the Act, but this has not been determined for Muslims. Case law is, however, still developing in this area.