DIFFERENT faith groups have met in Huddersfield to discuss the implications of new Government plans to tackle racial and religious hatred.
The meeting was held at Huddersfield Town Hall.
It was organised by Yaqub Mashi, general secretary of the UK Asian Christian Fellowship.
The meeting was attended by faith leaders from Huddersfield, Colne Valley MP Kali Mountford and a London-based barrister who explained the implications of the Racial and Religious Hatred Bill.
The Bill was unveiled by the Government in June and is currently making its way through Parliament.
It will create a new offence of incitement to religious hatred and would apply to comments made in public or in the media, as well as through written material.
It will give equal protection to all faiths.
Critics say it will stifle free speech, but ministers insist the new law would not affect criticism or commentary of faiths.
Mr Mashi said the meeting had been productive.
He said: "It went very well. I was particularly pleased with the response from the church leaders."
