Islamophobic Offenses in Germany Doubled in 2023: Report
The German Press Agency dpa cited a government response to an inquiry by Christian Democratic Union (CDU) lawmaker Christoph de Vries, stating that 1,464 crimes were identified as Islamophobic in 2023, a stark increase from the 610 anti-Muslim hate crimes reported in 2022.
In addition, the police have already reported 137 Islamophobic crimes in the first quarter of this year. The report suggests a correlation between the dramatic rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes and the escalating conflict in Gaza, Yeni Şafak reported.
The German government has voiced its concern over the increasing anti-Muslim racism in the country since the onset of Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit was quoted as saying any attacks on Muslims in Germany, for religious or other reasons, are “absolutely unacceptable.” He further added, “The nearly 5 million Muslims in Germany have every right to be protected.”
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The Berlin-based Alliance Against Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Hate has also issued warnings about the growing anti-Muslim racism in the context of the escalating Israel-Palestine conflict in Gaza.
Rima Hanano, the head of the nongovernmental organization, expressed her concern, saying, “We are witnessing an intensification of anti-Muslim racism in Germany. This is something we should all be concerned about and needs to be taken seriously.”
She emphasized that, “We must not allow inhumane positions to be further normalized and thereby jeopardize social cohesion. All people must be protected from racist, antisemitic and other inhumane violence and threats.”
Germany, with a population exceeding 84 million, has the second-largest Muslim population in Western Europe, following France. Of the nearly 5.3 million Muslims in the country, more than 3 million are of Turkish origin.
Source: Agencies
