Anti-Muslim hate crimes in Berlin surged by nearly 70% in 2024

BERLIN (MNTV) – Cases of anti-Muslim discrimination and attacks in Berlin increased significantly last year, rising nearly 70% compared to 2023, according to a report by Germany’s Alliance Against Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Hate (CLAIM). 

The organization documented 644 incidents in the German capital, ranging from verbal abuse to systemic discrimination in schools, workplaces, and housing.

At a Berlin press conference, Rima Hanano, co-director of CLAIM, highlighted the alarming frequency of these incidents. 

“There are now almost two anti-Muslim incidents occurring every day in Berlin,” she said. 

Hanano noted that Muslim women were disproportionately targeted, accounting for 64% of cases where gender was recorded. 

In November, last year, the Alliance documented an average of three anti-Muslim incidents a day.

Many incidents reportedly involved women accompanied by children.

The report emphasized that the actual number of incidents could be far higher, as many victims choose not to report their experiences due to fear or mistrust of authorities.

Hanano linked the surge in attacks to the Oct. 7 escalation in the Middle East, comparing it to previous patterns of backlash against Muslims following high-profile incidents in Germany. 

“These events tend to trigger a surge in anti-Muslim racism, amplified by political and media narratives that often portray Muslims as a security threat,” she said. 

This climate of suspicion, she warned, emboldens individuals to act on their prejudices. 

Disturbingly, children and teenagers are increasingly becoming targets of verbal and physical assaults in public spaces.

“The German government’s failings in protecting Muslims from hatred and discrimination start with a lack of understanding that Muslims experience racism and not simply faith-based hostility,” said Almaz Teffera, researcher on racism in Europe at Human Rights Watch. 

“Without a clear understanding of anti-Muslim hate and discrimination in Germany and strong data on incidents and community outreach, a response by the German authorities will be ineffective.”

Germany, home to over 5 million Muslims—three million of whom are of Turkish descent—has the second-largest Muslim population in Western Europe after France. 

Civil society organizations are urging the government to adopt stronger measures to combat rising Islamophobia.