On 24-25 October, The European Coalition of Cities against Racism participated in Brussels in a workshop as part of the launch of the report "Being Muslim in the EU", held by the European Commission and the Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA).
The aim of the workshop, led by Marion Lalisse, EU Coordinator for Combating Anti-Muslim Hatred, was to discuss the FRA report on experiences of discrimination against Muslims in the EU together with representatives of civil society, European institutions, academia, and international organisations. Furthermore, the workshop aimed to derive recommendations for action to reduce anti-Muslim racism. ECCAR Vice-President Danijel Cubelic presented during the workshop experiences of cities engaged in ECCAR’s Working Group on Anti-Muslim Racism.
The report, for which FRA surveyed almost 10,000 Muslims in 13 EU countries between October 2020 and 2021, proves that hostility towards Muslims in the European Union has risen sharply in recent years. The percentage of Muslims with experience of racial discrimination, harassment, or violence based on religion, skin colour, or ethnic origin has increased compared to the survey conducted in 2016 from 39% to 47 %.
According to the report, Muslims are most frequently discriminated against when applying for work. However, Muslims also experience frequent discrimination in the housing market and the education system. Women who wear clothing that discloses their religious identity as Muslims, such as the headscarf, are particularly affected by discrimination. The study also highlights the structural barriers Muslims in the EU face in societal participation. For example, two out of five Muslims (41%) are overqualified for their jobs. On average, Muslims are financially worse off than their non-Muslim fellow citizens and live in apartments that are too small.
After a review of the report, Danijel Cubelic concluded, that the report reveals a shocking extent of anti-Muslim discrimination and violence and underlines the need to anchor programmes against anti-Muslim racism in municipal anti-discrimination strategies.
ECCAR member cities have developed many exemplary approaches in this regard in recent years but there is, of course, still much work to be done. The Guidebook on Local Actions against Anti-Muslim Racism, published in 2023, together with the current chapters of ECCAR’s Toolkit for Equality on Equality Data Collection and on ECCAR 10 Points Plan of Action provide municipalities with the tools they need to counter marginalisation of Muslim citizens and communities, and to develop efficient strategies for living together in diversity.
The ECCAR Working Group on Anti-Muslim Racism is supported by the European Commission as part of the Anti-Racism Action Plan adopted by the EU in 2020.
