They make up around 7 per cent of the German population but, according to Khalid, “are only perceived as a problem group in this society”. “Perhaps,” he added, “I should have said sooner what I meant.”Rather than get angry with Merz, the young Muslims involved in the new year’s clean-up group want to get even. Official German state statistics noted 1,848 Islamophobic crimes and misdemeanours in 2024 and 79 attacks on mosques – a 24 per cent rise in a year. “Such discussion leads to Muslims being viewed only as a security problem,” added Rima Hanano, Claim project director, “and not as a gain [for society]”. Three years on, many German Muslims say they face a new level of hostility in post-October 7th Germany.

Source: The Irish Times December 31, 2025 00:12 UTC