Sharp Rise in Anti-Muslim Hate Speech Reported on Social Media in Spain

Sharp Rise in Anti-Muslim Hate Speech Reported on Social Media in Spain
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A recent report by Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism highlights a troubling surge in anti-Muslim hate speech across social media platforms in Spain. The report cites a significant increase in online hostility, linked to broader tensions stemming from rising migration and global crises.

According to Spain’s Observatory Against Racism and Xenophobia, over 190,000 racist messages were recorded in July alone—surpassing the combined total of April, May, and June, which stood at 184,000. Alarmingly, 86% of July’s messages targeted Muslims and North African communities, a five-point increase compared to June.

Between July 6 and 22, more than 138,000 Islamophobic messages were documented. Of these, 88% contained direct insults, while 54% aimed to dehumanize Muslims. Another 24% framed Muslims as a threat to society, 12% called for their deportation, and 5% incited violence against them.

The spike in hate speech followed an isolated incident in the town of Torre Pacheco, Murcia, which far-right groups used to intensify their anti-immigrant campaigns—organizing online hate campaigns and even street-level confrontations.

The findings raise serious concerns about the normalization of hate rhetoric in digital spaces and its potential real-world consequences, particularly for Spain’s Muslim and immigrant communities.