We have initiated a series of seminars this year on the theme ‘Blasphemy, ‘cancel culture’ and freedom of expression’, with two seminars taking place so far and further ones planned in the new year. In the first seminar in September, we heard Christian perspectives on blasphemy and freedom of expression from Bishop Martin Gorick, Bishop of Dudley, Dr Damian Howard, Provincial Superior of the British Jesuits, and Canon Andy Thompson MBE, of St Margaret’s Church, Uxbridge. The presentations explored the history of blasphemy laws in the UK and their sometimes misguided application with reflections on how Christian groups have responded to restrictions to religious freedom.
The second seminar held in December was led with a presentation on ‘Blasphemy and Freedom of Religion and Belief in Islamic Law’ by Dr Amna Nazir, Reader in Law and Associate Director of the Centre for Human Rights at Birmingham City University, which examined Muslim perspectives on blasphemy with a detailed exploration of legal, jurisprudential and historical bearings on the issue of blasphemy in Islam.