BERLIN: A government-assigned independent commission in Germany has released findings stating that Muslims in the country are subjected to rampant discrimination and bias, calling for urgent action to address this issue. The panel presented its recommendations to political leaders, police, educators, media, and entertainment sectors.
Describing Muslims as “one of the most under-pressure minorities” in Germany, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser acknowledged the marginalization and discrimination experienced by many of the country’s 5.5 million Muslims, including hatred and violence. She expressed the government’s commitment to studying the report’s findings and working towards combating discrimination and better protecting Muslims from exclusion.
The 12-member commission highlighted data indicating that approximately half of Germans agreed with anti-Muslim statements, creating a dangerous environment for extremist groups to thrive. Even German-born Muslims were often seen as “foreign,” while Islam was frequently portrayed as a “backward religion.” Women wearing traditional headscarves faced particularly hostile treatment.
Negative Portrayal of Muslims in Germany
The report analyzed popular culture and found that nearly 90 percent of the films reviewed by the panel presented a negative view of Muslims, often associating them with terrorism, wars, and the oppression of women. The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which currently polls at around 20 percent nationally, was noted for its explicitly anti-Muslim party platform.
The commission recommended that the government establish a task force to address bias against Muslims and establish a central clearinghouse to collect complaints. It also emphasized the need for training in various sectors, such as daycare centers, schools, police stations, government offices, media outlets, and entertainment companies, to challenge negative stereotypes of Muslims. The report called for a comprehensive overhaul of textbooks and lesson plans.
While criminal statistics were starting to reflect a more accurate picture of anti-Muslim attacks, the commission recognized that many incidents went unreported. The commission was initiated in 2020 by former Interior Minister Horst Seehofer following an anti-Muslim shooting spree in the city of Hanau, where a far-right extremist killed 10 people and injured five others.
