With Islamophobia already a growing disease in Germany, there are rising concerns amongst members of the Muslim community that extremists on the far right may attempt to burn copies of the Quran in the country, similar to other European countries like Sweden and Denmark.

Karen Taylor, who is the chairperson of the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), cautioned that if something like that were to occur, it might lead to societal unrest and violent attacks on Muslims eventually. She made a plea to the government to enact stringent regulations to combat the violent extremism that is directed towards Muslims and stressed that burning that Quran burnings should not be tolerated in Germany. “The burning of books… “It will begin with what is out there, (but) by the time it’s over, it will be houses, or even people, who are injured and hurt,” she said.

Germany has the second-largest Muslim population in Western Europe, after France’s number of Muslims. According to official estimates, there are approximately 4.9 million Muslims living in the nation, which has a total population of over 84 million people. According to Taylor, “Islamophobia or anti-Muslim hatred is a reality for the majority of people in Germany who come from a Muslim background.”

According to the most recent official statistics, there were 258 acts of violence committed against Muslims in Germany during the first half of 2023. During this period, more than a dozen mosques were vandalised, dozens of Muslims were physically assaulted or verbally insulted on the street or in public places, with at least 17 people having sustained injuries as a result of these attacks. Surprisingly, the Ministry of the Interior stated that investigations were launched, but no arrests were made.

A significant number of Islamophobic hate crimes were also reported in Berlin, as well as in the cities of Cologne, Frankfurt, and Munich. There were more than 900 Islamophobic hate crimes in 2020, with almost 80 mosques attacked and at least 48 individuals injured. There were at least 662 Islamophobic crimes in 2021, including attacks on approximately 46 mosques. According to the statistics collected by the German police in 2022, there were at least 610 incidents of Islamophobic hate crime, including assaults on 62 mosques, and at least 39 people were injured.

According to the findings of a report that was just released by the Independent Group of Experts on Muslim Hostility, at least one third of Muslims who live in Germany have been subjected to hostility on account of their religion. The experts who created the survey indicated that the true figures are likely to be higher than the ones presented in the report as just 10% of Muslims appear to disclose hostility and hate crimes against them.

The burning of Qurans is a deeply hateful and dangerous act, stemming from a place of bigotry and ignorance. This act is intentionally designed to demean, marginalise, and instigate fear within the Muslim community. Such actions perpetuate stereotypes, contribute to Islamophobia, and can have a traumatic psychological effect on Muslims, who see the most sacred text desecrated in an open display of hatred. When allowed to continue, Quran burnings not only deepen divisions between Muslims and everyone else but also risk escalating into violent conflicts against Muslims. It’s a blatant call to incite religious hatred, which erodes social cohesion and challenges the principles of pluralism that underpin diverse democratic societies. The welfare of the Ummah is at risk if such hateful acts are not immediately and effectively addressed.

The alarming rise in Islamophobia can be directly linked to the noticeable silence of many Muslims in the realms of politics and public discourse. By not actively participating or voicing concerns, these harmful stereotypes and misconceptions have been allowed to take root and flourish. This isn’t just about defending the image of Islam or countering negative portrayals; it’s about asserting the rights, dignity, and protecting lives. For change to happen, it’s imperative for Muslims to step up, be more vocal, and challenge these biases at every turn. Only through consistent and clear communication can we hope to break down the walls of ignorance and promote mutual understanding.

One of the most direct ways to influence policy is by engaging with your Member of Parliament (MP). MPs are elected to represent the views of their constituents, so contacting them about this issue can highlight its importance and push it higher on the legislative agenda. Voting is a critical form of political involvement; choosing MPs who have a track record of standing against hate crimes and Islamophobia sends a strong message that bigotry has no place in society. Targeted political action can result in new laws, better enforcement mechanisms, and protection for Muslims.

Becoming politically active is crucial in addressing the issue of Quran burnings because it directly influences policy-making and legislative change. While street protests raise awareness, political action can lead to tangible and lasting solutions, such as stricter hate crime laws and better community protection. Engaging with elected officials, like MPs, ensures that concerns are heard at the highest levels of government, potentially leading to broader systemic reforms. In contrast, protests, although valuable, might not always result in definitive policy changes.

Political participation is a practical way for Muslims to fulfil the Islamic ideals of promoting social justice, standing up for the oppressed, and maintaining peace in society.

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