Anti-Muslim attacks soar in Austria

Reflecting soaring Islamophobia across Europe, a new racism report has warned of increasing attacks against Muslims and asylum seekers in the central European country of Austria

Reflecting soaring Islamophobia across Europe, a new racism report has warned of increasing attacks against Muslims and asylum seekers in the central European country of Austria.

The report showed a slight increase in the number of reported racist attacks between 2013 and 2014.

While 731 racist incidents were reported in 2013, about 794 attacks were reported in 2014, with notable increase in attacks against Muslims.

As the anti-Muslim attacks have doubled since 2013, more than 61 incidents against Muslims have been documented in 2014.

According to the NGO, the anti-Muslim attacks increased after the emergence of the so-called Islamic State (IS) last summer.

Despite Muslims’ condemnation of the extremist group, IS heinous crimes have fuelled anti- Muslim sentiment in the European country.