Anti-Muslim hate crimes in Europe rise since Oct 7: EU Islamophobia chief

The European Commission’s coordinator for combating anti-Muslim hatred, Marion Lalisse, has warned of a rising tide of racism and Islamophobia across several European Union member states.

Speaking at Türkiye’s Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Lalisse revealed alarming figures, citing a 140 percent increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes in Germany since October 7, 2023.

Lalisse linked the surge in hatred to the tragic events following the October 7, 2023 event, which was swiftly followed by 'Israel’s' ongoing aggression on Gaza, resulting in widespread destruction and the deaths of over 50,000 Palestinians.

The rise in anti-Muslim sentiment, according to Lalisse, is a response to the broader political climate, and she condemned any actions that incite hatred against Muslim communities in Europe.

"Obviously, you can have views about religions, about politics, but you cannot incite hatred against a group of individuals who are full parts of Europe, integral components of our society," Lalisse stated.

She expressed concern over what she described as the "normalization of the anti-Muslim narrative," particularly in the media and on social media platforms. Lalisse stressed the importance of diverse representation, both among journalists and in the management of media organizations, to ensure that Muslim communities are fairly represented and their voices are heard.

"We need to have more diversity among journalists, also in the management of media, not only in the journalists themselves but in the executive boards to make sure that there is a coverage reflecting the vast majority of Muslims," she said.

Lalisse also acknowledged the steps taken by certain EU member states, such as Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands, which have implemented measures to combat xenophobia and religious intolerance in line with EU framework decisions.

"These countries are setting a positive example by implementing our framework decision on combating xenophobia and racism, including religious intolerance," she added.

The increase in anti-Muslim incidents has not been confined to Europe. In March 2024, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reported a 7.4 percent rise in anti-Muslim discrimination in the United States, citing the ongoing violence in Gaza as a catalyst for these incidents.

While Western countries have been quick to respond to accusations of antisemitism, especially in relation to protests over 'Israel’s' actions in Gaza, reported instances of Islamophobia have not received the same level of attention, sparking concern over double standards in addressing hate and discrimination.

Lalisse concluded by stressing that the rise in Islamophobia is not only detrimental to the affected communities but also to Europe’s core values, which are built on diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect.