Report Warns of Rising Islamophobia in Berlin as Muslim Women Face Growing Abuse

Report Warns of Rising Islamophobia in Berlin as Muslim Women Face Growing Abuse
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A new report by Germany’s CLAIM network says anti-Muslim incidents in Berlin rose sharply in 2025, with hijab-wearing women among the most frequent targets. The findings come amid broader European concern over discrimination, hate speech and attacks against Muslim communities.

More details in the following report:

A new report by the Alliance Against Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Hate, known as CLAIM, has warned of a significant rise in anti-Muslim incidents in Berlin during 2025.

According to the report, monitoring bodies documented 975 anti-Muslim incidents in the German capital last year, compared with 644 in 2024. The cases included verbal abuse, threats, social discrimination, property damage and physical assaults.

Women were the most affected group, accounting for 58 percent of recorded cases. The report said many incidents targeted visibly Muslim women, particularly those wearing the hijab, including cases of spitting, insults, harassment and attempts to remove or damage headscarves.

CLAIM warned that Islamophobia is increasingly appearing in everyday settings, including public transport, streets, workplaces, schools, medical facilities and housing searches. It also stressed that many victims do not file official complaints, meaning the real number of incidents is likely higher than documented figures.

The Berlin findings reflect a wider European pattern. EU rights data has shown high levels of discrimination against Muslims across several member states, especially among young Muslims and women wearing religious clothing. In the United Kingdom, official data for England and Wales showed a rise in anti-Muslim hate crimes, while France has also reported increases in anti-Muslim incidents during periods of heightened political and social tension.

The report called for stronger documentation of hate crimes, better victim support, tougher action against discrimination in schools and institutions, and broader public efforts to confront anti-Muslim racism and promote coexistence.