- President Steinmeier acknowledges Islam’s integration in Germany with over 5 million Muslims during the celebration of VIKZ’s 50th anniversary, emphasizing the importance of religious freedom and respecting the rights of all believers.
- A recent report highlights the prevalence of racism and Islamophobia in Germany, with 898 documented anti-Muslim incidents in 2022, including verbal attacks, threats, and threatening letters to mosques containing Nazi symbols. The report highlights the need for expanding reporting mechanisms and raising awareness about these issues. I
At the celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of the Association of Islamic Cultural Centers (VIKZ) in Cologne, President Steinmeier remarked, “Islam, the Muslim religion, Muslim life, Muslim culture have taken root in our country.” “Today the diversity of Islam, the diversity of over 5 million Muslims, is also part of our country,” he said.
President Steinmeier stressed the importance of religious freedom, noting,“Germany is an ideologically neutral state. But religious freedom does not mean that our country is free of religion. No, it means giving religions space and protecting the freedom of believers, all believers.”
These remarks followed a recent report indicating a concerning rise in racism and Islamophobia in Germany. The report, released by the Berlin-based non-governmental organization, the Alliance Against Islamophobia and Muslim Hostility, documented 898 anti-Muslim incidents in 2022. However, the number of unreported cases remains high.
The report revealed that racism has become an everyday experience for Muslims in Germany, with a significant number of cases involving women. These documented incidents encompassed 500 verbal attacks, ranging from inflammatory statements and insults to threats and coercion. Furthermore, eleven threatening letters containing excessive violence and death threats were sent to mosques, some featuring Nazi symbols or references to the Nazi era.
The report also highlighted 190 cases of discrimination and 167 instances of injurious behavior, which included 71 cases of bodily harm, 44 cases of property damage, three arson attacks, and 49 other acts of violence. Disturbingly, racially motivated attacks on young people and children are on the rise, with some women being attacked in the presence of their children, and even pregnant women facing physical assaults.
Acknowledging the likelihood of a significant number of unreported incidents due to limited media coverage and a lack of trust in authorities, the report called for the expansion of reporting structures and increased awareness among authorities, schools, and the healthcare sector.
Germany, with a population exceeding 84 million, stands as Western Europe’s second-largest home to a Muslim community, encompassing over 5 million Muslims according to official data.
