Anti-Muslim sentiment surged across Europe: report

ISTANBUL (AA) – Nearly half of Muslims living in Europe face discrimination in their daily lives, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) has said in a scathing report.

The report ‘Being Muslim in the EU’, based on 2022 data, highlighted a sharp increase in anti-Muslim sentiment, with 47% of Muslim respondents reporting racial discrimination, up from 39% in 2016.

The survey shed light on the increasing challenges faced by Muslims across the EU, particularly in employment and housing.

“Muslims most often face discrimination when looking for work (39%) or in the workplace (35%),” it said.

It underscored that these issues have ripple effects in other areas, such as housing, education, and health care.

The report added that women who wear religious attire experience higher levels of racial discrimination than those who do not, particularly when looking for employment, and the rate has risen to 45% in 2022 from 31% in 2016, with young women aged 16-24 experiencing the highest incidence at 58%.

Discrimination in the housing market has also surged, with 35% of respondents saying they were unable to rent or buy a house due to discrimination, a significant increase from 22% in 2016.

The report also highlights issues with law enforcement, with nearly half (49%) of those stopped by police believing they were subjected to racial profiling.

FRA Director Sirpa Rautio called the situation alarming, saying, “We are witnessing a worrying surge in racism and discrimination against Muslims in Europe.”

She attributed this to conflicts in the Middle East and “dehumanising anti-Muslim rhetoric across the continent.”

“We need to ensure that everyone in the EU feels safe, included, and respected, regardless of their skin colour, background, or religion,” Rautio added.

The role of Western media outlets stereotyping Muslims and associating acts of terror with Islamic ideology has been instrumental in creating an atmosphere of hate and fear against Muslims. With Islamophobia on an all-time high, Muslims in Europe continue to be systematically marginalized and be increasingly vulnerable to hate crime targeting them.

With the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza following the events of October 7 last year, racist hate and prejudice against Muslims and Arabs has increased further.