Mohammed Amin: It is time to abandon the word “Islamophobia”

It is damaged beyond repair by poor definitions, confusion and misuse. The term harms Muslims.

Chloe Westley: As a migrant to Britain, I say: what’s wrong with patriotism, borders and control?

The desire to protect your home is as universal as the desire to love, to work and to raise a family. Why should protecting your country be any different?

Benedict Rogers: Hunt’s review of British policy on the persecution of Christians is crucial and courageous

The Foreign Secretary had already impressed me with his focus on human rights. Now he has created new hope for Christians around the world.

The power of song

The human condition is a sometimes conflicting mixture of reason and emotion.

“For mighty dread had seized their troubled mind”

Unlike the angel, we’re unable to announce tidings of great joy. But it’s worth mulling why the Christmas season can pause even Brexit hostilities.

Andy Street: In the West Midlands, inclusion is more than a buzzword. It’s turning our diversity into a strength.

It is a sad and all-too-obvious fact that most of the decision makers I meet in my role as Mayor are people who look like me.

Asia Bibi should be offered asylum in Britain

Hers is a test case for Ministers, for Muslim organisations in Britain, for free speech – for what sort of country we want to be.

It was odious to burn an effigy of the Grenfell Tower – but those responsible should not have been arrested

The police should not arrest people for being offensive. Not just because burglaries and violence matter more. But because we need the freedom to offend.

The European Court of Human Rights has set a problematic precedent on religious freedom

In justifying their defence of Austria’s ‘blasphemy law’, its judges seem to be not just expanding but changing the relevant protections in the Convention.

Penny Mordaunt: The twelve new rules of politics

Ideas and vision are necessary, but they are not sufficient. People need to see results and to achieve them they need to take part.

Drawing a veil over the incident

All concerned want to save face over the Johnson burqa row – May, Lewis and the man himself. Here’s a rough and ready way to correct its mishandling.

Iain Dale: Silly error, or malevolent ploy? Either way, Johnson has done himself no favours among Tory MPs.

The MPs, of course, pick the final two in a leadership race. Plus: the Westminster Transfer Window. And: my workaholic holiday.

Munira Mirza: Critiquing Islamist fundamentalist practice is not an ‘attack on Muslim women’

Johnson’s critics who accuse him of Islamophobia are either confused or disingenuous. Their tactics harm mainstream Muslims.

Political beliefs ought to be the subject of robust debate, not protected with legal cotton wool

The way equalities law applies to “philosophical belief” has created a messy courtroom battleground for all sorts of angry fringe groups to seek protection.

Rob Lyons: It’s time to send McNanny packing

Holyrood has led the race for greater state intervention in people’s lives, and power has never felt more removed from voters’ concerns.