The report, prepared by Enes Bayraklı of the Turkish‑German University and Farid Hafez of the College of William & Mary in the United States, emphasizes that Islamophobia is no longer an exceptional problem; rather, it has taken root within Europe’s official institutions and structures.
The report examines legal, political, media, security, and educational policies, presenting clear evidence of discrimination, hate speech, and the marginalization of Muslims in Europe.
The authors note that the events in Gaza in 2024 intensified the climate of Islamophobia in Europe. Many countries refrained from condemning attacks on civilians, restricted or banned pro‑Palestinian demonstrations, and placed Muslim activists under surveillance.
According to data from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, nearly half of Muslims have experienced discrimination in the past five years. This figure has risen to 47 percent in recent years, compared to 39 percent in 2016.
The report also states that Islamophobia is no longer confined to far‑right groups; it has become a defining element of mainstream European politics. The rise of Austria’s Freedom Party, the entry of the Dutch Freedom Party led by Geert Wilders into government, and similar trends in Portugal, Spain, and Finland are cited as indicators of this shift.
The report concludes that Islamophobia in Europe has become normalized and integrated into official policies, highlighting the urgent need for serious measures to combat discrimination and hate speech against Muslims.
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