Nadine Osman
More than 2 in 5 Muslim men are experiencing racism in everyday life in Germany, according to a study published by the German Centre for Integration and Migration Research (Dezim).
According to the report, 41.2 percent of Muslim men in Berlin are affected by racism, more than a third (39 percent) reported more frequent experiences of discrimination and racism in the police, and 51 percent reported negative experiences in public offices and in interacting with authorities.
Among Muslim women, 46 percent said that they had often experienced discrimination in offices and authorities. When it comes to contact with the police, the corresponding proportion was 25 percent. Furthermore, Germany’s health care system is not free from discrimination either.
“Discrimination takes place here in different places. For example, people who are racially marked are given worse appointments, and their suffering is less heard,” said Frank Kalter,director of the Dezim Institute.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed concern over mounting anti-Muslim racism in the country since the start of the Gaza war on October 7.
Government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said any attacks on Muslims in Germany, for religious or other reasons, are “absolutely unacceptable. 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 of growing anti-Muslim racism amid the escalating Israel-Palestine conflict in Gaza.
“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 organisation.
“We must not allow inhumane positions to be further normalised and thereby jeopardise 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 mosque attacks. However, the statistics do not include a significant number of unreported anti-Muslim incidents, such as anti-Muslim hate speech on social media.
CLAIM has called for far-reaching measures to prevent anti-Muslim prejudice and safeguard victims.
“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,” according to the NGO.
