Virginia Dem pushes Islamophobia crime bill as critics warn of speech impact
Richmond, Va. – A Democratic state senator introduced legislation this session that would formally define Islamophobia in Virginia law and tie it to assault and battery penalties, expanding how hate crimes are identified and reported across the state.
Senate Bill 624, introduced by Sen. Saddam Azlan Salim, would define Islamophobia as “malicious prejudice or hatred directed toward Islam or Muslims,” language that applies even when the victim is not a Muslim, as long as the perpetrator acted based on a perceived adherence to the faith.
The bill amends existing assault and battery statutes by clarifying that religious conviction includes Islam and that acts motivated by Islamophobia fall within hate-related conduct. Under the proposal, the definition would apply regardless of the actual religious identity of the victim.
SB624 also directs the Virginia Department of State Police, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, to incorporate the bill’s definition of Islamophobia into the state’s hate crime reporting system.
Legislative records show the bill was introduced during the 2026 regular session and was continued to the 2027 session by the Senate Courts of Justice Committee following a recorded vote.
Supporters of the measure say it is intended to improve tracking and accountability for bias-motivated crimes targeting Muslims or those perceived to be Muslim. Opponents have raised concerns about how the definition could be interpreted when applied to criminal statutes tied to assault and battery.
Key elements of SB624 include:
- A statutory definition of Islamophobia tied to assault and battery offenses.
- Application based on perceived religious identity, not the victim’s actual faith.
- Mandatory inclusion of the definition in Virginia’s hate crime reporting system.
The bill has not advanced to a floor vote and remains under consideration heading into the next legislative session.
