Germany voices concern over rising anti-Muslim racism amid Gaza war

BERLIN (AA) – Germany has expressed concern over mounting anti-Muslim racism in the country since the start of the attacks on Gaza on October 7.

Any attacks on Muslims in Germany, for religious or other reasons, are “absolutely unacceptable,” government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said at a news conference in Berlin.

“The nearly 5 million Muslims in Germany have every right to be protected …,” he added.

The Berlin-based Alliance Against Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Hate (CLAIM) warned last week of growing anti-Muslim racism.

“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,” said Rima Hanano, head of the nongovernmental organization.

“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,” she added.

CLAIM has documented 53 cases of anti-Muslim threats, violence and discrimination in the last two-and-a-half weeks alone, including 10 attacks on mosques.

It can be assumed that there are a serious number of unreported anti-Muslim incidents that have not yet been reported or recorded, for example anti-Muslim hate speech on social networks.

CLAIM called for far-reaching measures to combat anti-Muslim racism and to protect those affected.

“Combating anti-Muslim racism, antisemitism and other misanthropic ideologies is more crucial than ever for our democracy and the cohesion of society. The need for action is acute,” said the NGO.