Germany recorded more than 1,550 anti-Muslim hate crimes in 2024, according to official figures.
At least 54 mosques were attacked between January and December last year, with 53 people suffering injuries from Islamophobic violence.
The Interior Ministry released these figures in response to a parliamentary inquiry from opposition Left Party lawmaker Petra Pau.
German police documented 1,554 anti-Muslim hate crimes and attacks last year – an increase from 1,536 in the previous year.
The incidents included social media harassment, threatening letters, disruption of religious practices, physical assaults and property damage.
Germany has Western Europe’s second-largest Muslim population after France, with nearly 5.5 million Muslims among its nearly 85 million residents.
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The rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has notably contributed to the mainstreaming of anti-Muslim sentiments. The AfD’s manifesto includes statements that Islam does not belong to Germany, influencing public perception and policy debates.
Surveys and studies have shown that a significant portion of the German population holds anti-Muslim views. For example, one study indicated that nearly half of Germans agree with anti-Muslim statements, suggesting widespread hostility or scepticism towards Islam.
The German government has commissioned studies on Islamophobia, with findings showing that anti-Muslim sentiment is not just at the fringes but widespread within German society. However, there’s criticism that the government has been slow to respond with effective measures or policy changes.
There have been legislative actions that some perceive as targeting Muslim practices, such as bans on certain religious garments in schools and public service roles, which are seen by critics as manifestations of Islamophobia.
Muslims in Germany, particularly women wearing headscarves, report frequent discrimination in daily life, from employment and education to housing and public interactions.
The rise in Islamophobic incidents has a profound impact on the Muslim community’s sense of safety and belonging. There’s a noted distrust towards authorities, with many incidents going unreported due to this lack of trust or belief that action will not be taken.
