German report reveals extent of Islamophobic attacks against women

Islamophobic attacks reached a fever pitch last year in Germany where far right extremism and Neo-Nazism is on the rise with every passing day.

Muslims, mosques and Islamic foundations were targeted at least 184 times in 2019, the Berlin-based daily Tageszeitung (TAZ) said, based on a report published by the Interior Ministry in response to an inquiry launched by the Left Party (Die Linke).

According to the report, 64 of the total attacks consist of crimes such as provoking the public, hate speech, threats, insults, and property damage.

Every second day, an Islamophobic attack was organized last year, especially against women wearing headscarves in public areas, it went on to say.

Muslims have often applied to the Anti-discrimination Office after facing verbal and physical attacks as well as discrimination in a public area. Seventy-six percent of those filing reports were women wearing a headscarf who also stated that they were discriminated against when applying for a job or buying property.

“This is far-right terror which must be pertinaciously handled. Endangering Muslims, mosques and other Islamic foundations is unacceptable,” left lawmaker Christine Buchholz said.

“Islamophobic violence and discrimination has become daily problem in Germany, and unfortunately the government started to recognize this too late. We need to call for solidarity and support Muslim minorities,” she added.