BRUSSELS

Patrick Charlier, director of the Interfederal Center for Equal Opportunities (Unia), highlighted the worrying rise in anti-Muslim sentiment across Europe, noting that in Belgium, nine out of ten people victims of discrimination are Muslims, in especially veiled women.

A report published last week by the EU Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA), titled ‘Being Muslim in the EU: Experiences of Muslims’, showed a marked increase in racism and discrimination against Muslims since 2016.

The survey, carried out among 9,000 people in 13 EU member states between October 2021 and October 2022, found that one in two Muslims face discriminatory treatment on a daily basis.

Discrimination against Muslim women, men and children stems not only from their religion, but also from factors such as skin color, ethnicity and immigration history. Young Muslims born in Europe and veiled women are particularly affected.

Belgium has become a key region in this regard, with 43% of Muslims there reporting discrimination in housing.

Charlier, who has headed the Center for Equal Opportunity since 1993, stressed the seriousness of the situation, highlighting hostility toward Muslims in education, employment and society.

“For Belgium, when we talk about religious and philosophical beliefs, this concerns 90% Muslims. The vast majority, nine out of ten cases, involve Muslims who face discrimination, hate speech, hate crimes,” Charlier said.

“Last year, the most notable cases were in employment, discrimination in employment. A majority of women are victims of discrimination. When we talk about working women, it is mainly about wearing headscarves,” he said.

Between 2017 and 2023, the center primarily handled employment discrimination cases, with additional incidents occurring on social media and in schools, Charlier noted.

Anti-immigration sentiment also fuels anti-Muslim sentiment

“I think discrimination, hate speech and hate crimes are serious. I do not want to minimize the reality and difficulties of Muslims in our country. It’s a reality. It’s not up much. It’s stable,” he said.

“We do not reject discrimination against Muslims. We are not talking about Islamophobia. There is also an indirect link to a form of what we call more xenophobia,” he said.

“It’s all the talk against asylum seekers and migration. It’s not directly focused on Muslims, but we know that this anti-migrant narrative is often based on the idea “these are Muslims who come from Syria, Palestine now, Afghanistan, etc.” “. But this is not considered “discrimination against Muslims”. It’s more xenophobia,” he added.

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