Liverpool Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts was the scene on August 8, 2024, as John O'Malley, 43, and William Nelson Morgan, 69, received two years and eight months sentences for violent disorder during anti-Muslim riots following the tragic killing of three girls in northwest England. — Reuters

The EU rights agency reported on Thursday that Muslims in Europe are experiencing 'ever more racism and discrimination,' with a 'sharp rise' noted even before the Hamas attack on Israel led to a surge in anti-Muslim hatred. Several EU nations have documented an increase in both anti-Muslim and anti-Semitic acts since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched its attack, prompting Israel's retaliatory offensive on Gaza, according to the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA).

FRA spokeswoman Nicole Romain told AFP, 'We are aware of reports from several EU countries, highlighting a spike in anti-Muslim hatred — as well as anti-Semitism — after the Hamas attacks.' However, even prior to this, a new FRA report indicated 'it was getting more difficult to be a Muslim in the EU.' Nearly one in two Muslims in the EU face racism and discrimination daily, a significant increase from 39% found in the 2016 survey.

The highest rates were observed in Austria, Germany, and Finland. FRA director Sirpa Rautio expressed concern, stating, 'We are witnessing a worrying surge in racism and discrimination against Muslims in Europe, fuelled by conflicts in the Middle East and exacerbated by dehumanising anti-Muslim rhetoric.' Over 9,600 Muslims across 13 EU countries were surveyed between October 2021 and October 2022.

The FRA noted that Muslim women, men, and children are targeted not only due to their religion but also because of their skin color and ethnic or immigrant background. Young Muslims born in the EU and women wearing religious clothing are particularly affected. The survey highlighted a notable surge in anti-Muslim racism in the job market, impacting other areas of life such as housing, education, and healthcare.

Two in five, or 41%, of Muslim respondents are overqualified for their jobs compared to 22% generally. A third of Muslim households struggle to make ends meet compared to 19% of households generally, and they are twice as likely to live in overcrowded housing. About 26 million Muslims reside in the EU, constituting about 5% of the total EU population, according to the most recent estimates from the Pew Research Centre for 2016.

Most Muslims in the EU live in France and Germany. The number of Muslims in the EU has significantly increased in recent years due to people fleeing conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria. In July, the FRA reported that Europe's Jewish community was facing a 'rising tide of anti-Semitism,' with the Middle East conflict 'eroding' progress in the fight against it.

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