EU report says nearly half of Muslims in Europe face discrimination
According to the latest report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), almost half the population of Muslims living on the continent face racism and discrimination in their daily lives.
The report, ‘Being Muslim in the EU,’ was released on Thursday, October 24, 2024.
It highlighted a significant increase in Islamophobia, with 47% of Muslim respondents reporting racial discrimination, up from 39% in 2016.
The survey brought to light the increasing challenges faced by Muslims across the EU, particularly in employment and housing.
“Muslims most often face discrimination when looking for work (39 per cent) or in the workplace (35 per cent),” the report said.
It stressed that these anti-Muslim sentiments have ripple effects in other areas such as health care, housing, and education.
The report also highlighted the plight of women who wear religious attire, noting that they experience higher levels of racial discrimination than those who do not.
The trend is said to be more prevalent among women seeking employment, and the rate rose to 45% in 2022 from 31% in 2026, with young women aged 16-24 experiencing the highest incidents at 58%.
Discrimination against EU Muslims rises in housing
There has also been a surge in discrimination against Muslims in the housing market, with 35% of respondents saying they were unable to buy or rent a house due to Islamophobia, representing a 22% increase from 2016.
The report also touched on the issues of law enforcement, with nearly half (49%) of those stopped by police believing they were subjected to racial profiling.
Commenting on the findings, FRA Director, Sirpa Rautio, called the situation alarming.
“We are witnessing a worrying surge in racism and discrimination against Muslims in Europe,” she said.
Rautio attributed the trend to conflicts in the Middle East and “dehumanising anti-Muslim rhetoric across the continent.”
“We need to ensure that everyone in the EU feels safe, included and respected, regardless of their skin colour, background, or religion,” she added.
