Germany Records Unprecedented Surge in Islamophobia: Over 3,000
Anti-Muslim Incidents in 2024
A recent
report by "CLAIM," a German-based network specializing in monitoring
anti-Muslim discrimination and Islamophobia, revealed that 3,080 cases of
anti-Muslim discrimination or violence were recorded in 2024. This marks a
significant and alarming increase compared to 1,926 cases in 2023.
A Thousand Attacks on Mosques
In this
context, Sheikh Taha Suleiman Amer — President of the Council of Scholars and
Preachers in Germany, Chairman of the Committee for Introducing Islam in
Europe, and Secretary of the Imams Committee at the International Union of
Muslim Scholars — stated that nearly 1,000 physical attacks are recorded
annually against mosques in the country. These incidents range from throwing
pork meat into mosques, smashing their windows, and issuing threats of arson,
to even murdering worshippers in some cases.
Hijab-Wearing Women at Risk
Amer
emphasized that hijab-wearing women are the most targeted and discriminated
against group. He noted that employment opportunities for them, particularly in
schools and the healthcare sector, remain severely limited due to
discriminatory policies and bullying. He also pointed to the broader challenges
Muslims face in securing housing, especially when their Islamic identity is
visibly expressed.
He held
far-right parties responsible for this situation, citing their constant
incitement against Muslims under the pretext that Muslims are “attempting to
impose Sharia law in Germany” as the primary driver of the escalating attacks.
Amer
also criticized the media’s negative role in this context, stating that Muslims
are immediately blamed whenever a terrorist attack occurs.
He
highlighted the serious psychological toll these practices take, referencing a
case of a Muslim woman (whose name was not disclosed) who was on the verge of
suicide due to racist pressure related to her wearing the hijab.
Murder
of Rahma Ayat Shocks Public Opinion
Among
the most shocking incidents was the murder of young Algerian Muslim woman Rahma
Ayat in early July in the city of Hanover. She was stabbed multiple times by
her German neighbor in what was widely viewed as a hate crime that sparked
widespread outrage.
The
report further stated that Muslims — estimated to number around 5 million in
Germany — are the least accepted minority among all others, according to recent
opinion polls.
The
CLAIM network also noted that the rate of anti-Muslim attacks increased
following the onset of the genocide, siege, and Israeli aggression on Gaza that
began on October 7, 2023. The report added that many incidents, particularly in
schools, go unreported due to parents' fears of retaliation and a lack of trust
in official institutions and civil society organizations in Germany.
(Source:
Al Jazeera Mubasher)
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