German Experts Warn Rising Anti-Muslim Racism Threatens Social Stability

(MENAFN) A prominent group of German peace researchers has warned that rising anti-Muslim racism and growing suspicion toward Muslim communities are placing increasing pressure on Germany’s domestic stability, according to reports released Monday.

The findings, published in the 2026 Peace Report, argue that anti-Muslim sentiment has become deeply embedded in parts of political and security discourse, particularly in discussions surrounding terrorism and migration.

According to reports, the researchers said public debate often fails to distinguish between the vast majority of law-abiding Muslim residents and a small number of extremists, leading to what they described as generalized suspicion toward the entire community.

The report stated that “As a result, the entire Muslim community fell under blanket suspicion of posing a collective security threat.”

It also warned that “anti-Muslim racism has come to serve as a vehicle for embedding right-wing agendas and rhetoric across the entire political spectrum,” adding that migration discourse is increasingly shaped by “enemy images” and calls for stricter policies.

Researchers cautioned mainstream political parties, including the conservatives led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, against adopting rhetoric associated with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), arguing that such strategies could strengthen extremist narratives.

“Democratic parties should counter the spread of polarizing and racist discourses in areas such as migration and asylum policy. Otherwise, they indirectly promote the agendas of authoritarian and right-wing extremist parties,” the report said.

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