The EU rights agency stated on Thursday that Muslims in Europe face “ever more racism and discrimination,” noting a “sharp rise” before the Hamas attack on Israel caused “a spike in anti-Muslim hatred.”
According to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, which then launched a retaliatory offensive on Gaza, several EU nations have reported an increase in anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic acts. Over 42,000 civilians have been killed in Palestine thus far.
According to AFP, FRA spokeswoman Nicole Romain, “We are aware of reports from several EU countries highlighting a spike in anti-Muslim hatred — as well as anti-Semitism — after the Hamas attacks.”
However, a brand-new FRA report demonstrates that “it was getting more difficult to be a Muslim in the EU” prior to that point.
According to the findings of the most recent edition of FRA’s survey, which was conducted in 2016, nearly one in two Muslims in the EU experience racism and discrimination on a daily basis, this is “a sharp rise.”
The nations of Austria, Germany, and Finland had the highest rates.
“We are seeing a stressing flood in prejudice and victimization Muslims in Europe,” FRA chief Sirpa Rautio said.
Rautio added, “This is exacerbated by the dehumanizing anti-Muslim rhetoric we see across the continent and is fuelled by conflicts in the Middle East.”
Between October 2021 and October 2022, surveys were conducted among more than 9,600 Muslims in 13 EU nations.
Work market segregation
“Muslim ladies, men and youngsters are focused on account of their religion, yet in addition due to their skin tone and ethnic or outsider foundation,” FRA noted.
It added that young Muslims who were born in the EU and women who wore religious clothing are particularly affected.
According to the survey, anti-Muslim racism has increased, with a “knock-on effect on other areas of life, such as housing, education, or healthcare,” especially in the workplace.
According to FRA, 42 percent of people are overqualified for their jobs, compared to 22 percent of people overall.
FRA added that, in comparison to the general population, 19 percent of households, a third of Muslim respondents’ households struggle to make ends meet, and they are twice as likely to live in overcrowded housing.
According to the most recent estimates that are available for 2016 from the Pew Research Centre, approximately 26 million Muslims live in the EU, which accounts for approximately 5 percent of the total population of the EU.
The majority reside in France and Germany.
FRA added, “significantly in recent years due to people fleeing conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria,” that the number of Muslims in the EU has increased.
In a report released in July, FRA stated that the Middle East conflict was “eroding” progress made in the fight against anti-Semitism, and that Europe’s Jewish community was facing a “rising tide of anti-Semitism.”
