A new 2025 annual report by the Brussels-based Collective Against Islamophobia in Europe (CCIE) paints a troubling picture of the situation facing Muslims across Europe. The report argues that Islamophobia is no longer confined to isolated acts of street violence but has become increasingly embedded within political discourse, media narratives and security policies across the continent.
Hundreds of Incidents Recorded Across Europe
Drawing on data from 11 European countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Austria and Denmark, the study combines victim reports, media monitoring and academic research. According to the findings, Islamophobia has become increasingly normalized in many European societies.
In 2025 alone, the CCIE recorded 876 reported cases of Islamophobia. These incidents included discrimination, incitement to hatred, defamation, insults and physical attacks. The report documented 686 cases of discrimination and 178 physical assaults, alongside numerous cases of hate speech and harassment.
Muslim Women Disproportionately Affected
One of the report’s most striking findings is the disproportionate impact on Muslim women, who accounted for approximately 80 percent of reported victims. A significant share of discriminatory incidents was directly linked to the wearing of the hijab, highlighting the visibility-related vulnerabilities faced by Muslim women in public life.
Report Suggests Official Figures Understate the Problem
The report stresses that the documented cases likely represent only a fraction of the actual scale of anti-Muslim discrimination. Citing estimates from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the CCIE notes that only around 6 percent of Islamophobia-related incidents are formally reported.
According to the report, this low reporting rate is driven by a lack of trust in public institutions, inadequate protection mechanisms and the normalization of anti-Muslim rhetoric within parts of European society. As a result, many victims choose not to report incidents or seek legal redress.
Growing Concerns Over Institutional Islamophobia
Beyond individual acts of discrimination, the report points to what it describes as the institutionalization of anti-Muslim bias. It highlights concerns over security measures linked to counter-radicalization and anti-separatism policies, including administrative actions affecting mosques, schools, religious organizations and community institutions.
The CCIE concludes that Islamophobia should be viewed not merely as a series of isolated incidents but as a structural challenge affecting equal rights, social cohesion and democratic values across Europe. The organization has called on European institutions to strengthen protections for Muslim communities and improve mechanisms for reporting and addressing discrimination.
From: IQNA