The motion specifically states that we are not allowed to "attack" the Koran, or to "fear" Islam or Islamic culture. No doubt this includes sharia law. But there is everything to fear from strict sharia law (particularly its family and criminal codes), especially if you happen to be female, or gay, or both. 

People simply cannot be told what to fear, this in itself creates fear. Fear is often a natural, and healthy, reaction to things that pose danger, and it is a simple fact that sharia law, as practiced in Islamic states the world over, presents a serious danger to many people. Telling people that they cannot fear sharia because they will be "racists" if they do, is a blatant attempt to silence them and will achieve nothing but increase resentment and anger between different communities. And let's not forget the many Muslims who seek to question or criticise Islam — where do they fit in?

In a few weeks' time, I will be debating when criticism of Islam becomes Islamophobia at Oxford University; but the fact is that criticism of Islam is Islamophobia. Most definitions of the word confirm this. In its report on the subject The Runnymede Trust offered up eight characteristics of Islamophobia.  Pretty much all of them refer to Islam itself and they are very precise about what we can or cannot say about it. 

The Organistion of Islamic Cooperation, a domineering bloc at the United Nations which has tried on numerous occasions to pass a global law criminalising criticism of Islam, clearly defines it as constituting language that disparages the religion. In its first report on the issue, the OIC argued "The proponents of Islamophobia, who for whatever reasons are either prejudiced or hold a negative view against Islam and Muslims, are active in defaming Islam."

This definition is widespread and is often defended using the argument that "defaming" Islam is an attack on Muslims because it is hurtful to them. I'm sure it is, but why are Muslims immune from being hurt or offended, when people of other belief systems are not? I have no doubt that Christians are equally offended by ridicule of Christianity, or Communists by ridicule of Communism, or secularists by ridicule of secularism — but none of these groups have had laws passed with the sole aim of protecting their feelings.