President Steinmeier calls for stronger stance as Germany’s Muslim community faces growing attacks

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Wednesday called on citizens to take a stronger stance against antisemitism and anti-Muslim racism amid a surge in hate crimes in recent weeks.

In his public address, he warned against social polarization in Germany amid escalation of Israel-Palestine conflict.

Germany’s Muslim community is facing growing attacks since the start of the war against the Gaza Strip, a Berlin-based nongovernmental human rights organization said Wednesday.

Rima Hanano, the head of the Alliance Against Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim Hate (CLAIM) said, “In recent weeks we have seen an increase in anti-Muslim racism. We currently have three documented anti-Muslim incidents per day.”