Islamophobic attacks increase by 23.5 percent in France

Islamophobic acts in France have increased by 23% the past six months

Islamophobic acts in France have increased by 23% in the first six months of 2015 compared with the same period last year, a French nongovernmental organization has said in a new report.

The figure was released in a report titled “Islamaphobia in France six months after the January 2015 terrorist attacks” by the Paris-based Collective organization against Islamaphobia.

According to the report, physical assaults increased by 500% and verbal attacks by 100% during the initial months of 2015, adding that women were among the first victims of Islamophobia.
The report also referred to a recent dialogue between Muslim representatives and the French Ministry of Interior, noting that the ministry had “urged police officials to accept complaints from victims of Islamophobia”.
After the deadly Charlie Hebdo attacks in France last January, Islamophobia is believed to have increased manifolds in France, which is home to nearly five million Muslims, most of whom are from North Africa.