Increase in Islamophobia violence worried Muslims in Germany

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY(REDNA)- Surge in Islamophobia attacks has worried Muslims in Germany.

Anadolu Agency (AA) reported German authorities registered at least 662 Islamophobic crimes in 2021.

Over 46 mosques were attacked between January and December last year and at least 17 people suffered injuries because of anti-Muslim violence.

“Following the coronavirus pandemic and the worsen situations as Germany is facing economic difficulties, attacks on Muslims and mosques are increased” said Süleyman Demir, project director at the anti-discrimination group, Inssan

“The statistics have definitely increased, especially for women who wear a headscarf,” Demir told Anadolu Agency (AA).

German authorities recorded 152 Islamophobic attacks, while at least seven people were injured in the first six months of 2022.

But that might not be the full picture because many attacks go unreported.

Demir, who is leading the “Network against discrimination and Islamophobia” project at Inssan, said many Muslims do not report incidents to the police, thinking their complaints will not be taken seriously.

Some authorities also complain about seeing minorities as scapegoats in Germany.

According to them connection between rising right-wing extremism and the economic situation has caused misbehaving towards minorities.