Significant rise in racism against Muslims in Germany
The CLAIM organization, a German alliance against anti-Islam and anti-Muslim sentiment, announced an unprecedented rise in the number of racist attacks against Muslims in Germany during 2024, with 3,080 cases documented, an increase of 60% compared to 2023, which saw only 1,926 cases. The report indicated that these assaults target Muslims or individuals presumed to be Muslim based on their appearance, names, or language.
According to the report, there are more than eight incidents daily on average. The actual numbers may be much higher, as a study by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) showed that only 4% of Muslims who experienced discrimination in Germany reported it, which is lower than the European average of 6%.
Women constitute the most affected group, as 71% of the victims in cases where their gender was identified were women, including mothers who were attacked in front of their children, in addition to children and young people who were insulted or assaulted by adults.
The report indicated a clear increase in the severity of violence, with two documented murders, 198 cases of bodily injury, including 3 serious injuries or attempted murders, 122 cases of vandalism, 4 arson incidents, and 259 other incidents including theft or threats. These numbers indicate a rise in the pace of violence compared to the previous year. Political and media tensions play a role in fueling hatred, as Muslims – including children – are subjected to insults and threats with terms like "terrorists" or "knife stabbers." The Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, also contributed to public doubts about Muslims and accusations of supporting violence.
The trust of Muslims in the state and its institutions is declining. A study published by the DeZIM Center showed that two-thirds of Muslims in Germany do not trust politicians, reflecting a growing sense of exclusion and marginalization. The CLAIM organization called for urgent measures to protect Muslims, by establishing independent mechanisms for filing complaints in educational and law enforcement institutions, as well as training public employees to combat racism. It considered that government employees bear a significant responsibility in applying the principle of equality.
Rima Hananou, the director of the coalition, warned of the rising atmosphere of hatred, saying: "It has become normal for people to attack Muslims simply for being Muslim or because they look like Muslims. The number of incidents has increased significantly after the Hamas attacks, as well as after the Mannheim and Solingen attacks in 2024." Nathalie Pawlik, the German government's commissioner for combating racism, pointed out that "violence, exclusion, and insults have become part of the daily reality for Muslims in Germany," emphasizing that this phenomenon must be addressed clearly. In contrast, the German government does not currently seem ready to take concrete steps, as its priorities focus on border monitoring and deporting rejected asylum seekers.