Rising Islamophobia pushes French Muslims to emigrate, book reveals
“Brain drain” phenomenon linked to escalating discrimination, far-right politics
LONDON (MNTV) — A recent book has revealed that a growing number of French Muslims are emigrating due to rising Islamophobia and systemic discrimination.
Titled France, Loving It But Leaving It, the book highlights the unsettling trend of Muslims fleeing France for countries like the UK and Canada, with many citing an “atmosphere of Islamophobia” that increasingly makes them feel unwelcome.
France, home to Europe’s largest Muslim population, is grappling with rising anti-Muslim sentiment, especially amid the rise of the far-right party, National Rally (NR).
The book’s authors, including Professor Olivier Esteves, argue that many Muslim professionals, particularly the devout and ambitious, are caught in a clash of values with France’s secular policies, which prohibit religious symbols in the public sphere.
Esteves highlighted that these policies, alongside the success of NR, which claims Islam threatens French identity, have created a growing sense of alienation among French Muslims.
“The shift in France’s political climate, marked by increasing Islamophobic rhetoric, is prompting many Muslims to leave in search of greater religious freedom,” Esteves said.
For many, this emigration is not just a response to racial discrimination but also to the shrinking space for Muslims to practice their faith freely.
“I can’t breathe in France anymore,” said Aminata Sylla, a 25-year-old student who has decided to leave for Britain or Oman.
She shared that her experiences with racism—ranging from being spat on for wearing a hijab to being kicked on the metro—have left her feeling abandoned by her own country.
A significant portion of the emigrants, according to the book, are professionals such as doctors, teachers, and students who are caught in the tension between their faith and the restrictions imposed by the state.
Esteves warned that the trend could escalate if the far-right continues to gain power, with many fearing that an election victory for NR would trigger a further wave of emigration.
The survey, which formed the backbone of the book, included 1,000 respondents and found that over 70% of Muslims who emigrated cited racism and discrimination as their primary reasons for leaving.
The findings suggest that the number of emigrants could be in the “tens of thousands.”
Mehdi, a French teacher who relocated to the UK from Lyon three years ago, described his departure as heartbreaking.
“Leaving France felt like a personal failure. I never imagined I would feel forced to leave my own country,” he said.
His sentiments echo those of many others who feel their future in France is becoming increasingly untenable.
Experts warn that the growing sense of alienation among Muslims in France is part of a broader trend of Islamophobia across Europe, fueled by far-right rhetoric and policies.
The question remains whether France can address this crisis or risk losing more of its Muslim population in the coming years.
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