Report Warns of Rising Discrimination Against Muslims in France

Report Warns of Rising Discrimination Against Muslims in France
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France’s national rights ombudsman says discrimination based on religion has increased in recent years, with Muslims disproportionately affected, The Local France reported. The conclusions draw on a 2024 survey of 5,000 people, representative of the French population, conducted despite legal restrictions that prevent collecting data on race, ethnicity, or religion.

Seven percent of respondents said they had faced religious discrimination in the past five years, up from five percent in 2016. The rate was significantly higher among people of Muslim background, with up to 34 percent reporting discrimination—compared with 19 percent among followers of other minority religions and four percent among Christians. Muslim women were the most affected group, with 38 percent saying they had experienced discrimination, a higher rate than Muslim men.

The report noted that exclusion often targets women wearing headscarves, affecting their employment opportunities and participation in public life. Some reported having to abandon jobs, accept roles below their qualifications, or turn to community-based work or self-employment. Instances of being barred from sports activities were also documented.

The study highlighted widespread misunderstanding of French secularism, with many believing it requires a ban on religious symbols in public spaces. The rights office called for better education on the legal framework, warning that policies seen as promoting neutrality can instead deepen social divisions.