At least 950 attacks occurred in Germany on Muslims and Islamic institutions last year. 33 people were injured in the attacks, almost all of which were carried out by people on the extreme-right.
Almost 60 incidents involved attacks or damage inflicted on mosques and other Islamic institutions, including the smearing of pig’s blood on buildings.
The crimes recorded included the incitement of hatred against Muslims, threatening letters, attacks on women wearing headscarves, and Nazi-themed graffiti sprayed on mosques and other buildings.
Last January, police began registering Islamophobic crimes under a special category, after calls by the country’s Muslim community to take more serious measures against the growing number of anti-Muslim hate crimes.
Germany, a country of 81.8 million people, has the second largest Muslim population in Western Europe after France.
The EU’s largest economy has witnessed growing Islamophobia and hatred of migrants in recent years triggered by propaganda from far-right and populist parties, which have exploited fears over the refugee crisis and terrorism.
Source: DS
