One in three French Muslims say suffer discrimination – report

Discrimination against Muslims in France has increased, with a report showing that one in three Muslims experienced such discrimination. A 2024 survey noted a rise in religious discrimination from 5% in 2016 to 7% over the past five years, predominantly affecting those of Muslim heritage, particularly women at 38%, who often face employment exclusions related to wearing a headscarf. The report discusses the misinterpretation of French secularism, established by a 1905 law, as a prohibition against visible religious symbols, contributing to a hostile perception among Muslims. It highlights that around 25% of respondents incorrectly viewed secularism as a ban on these symbols. The authors advocate for better education on secularism to prevent reinforcing religious segregation and infringing on individual freedoms.