French authorities raised the alarm on Thursday, July 3, over a worrying rise in hostile acts targeting Muslims. According to figures released by the Ministry of the Interior, 145 anti-Muslim acts were recorded between January and May 2025, compared to 83 during the same period in 2024. This 75% increase reflects escalating national tensions.
Physical assaults make up the majority of these incidents, with 99 attacks on individuals reported—a dramatic 209% increase compared to 32 cases in 2024. These individual acts of violence now account for more than two-thirds of all anti-Muslim incidents recorded.
A Tense Climate Following the Murder of a Young Muslim Inside a Mosque in Avignon
This surge in violence comes amid a tense social climate, particularly following the murder of Aboubacar Cissé, a young Malian who was shot inside a mosque in Avignon, southern France, at the end of April. The tragedy sparked a nationwide wave of outrage and reignited concerns over the safety of places of worship and the stigmatization of religious communities.
Anti-Semitism: Fewer Incidents, But Violence Remains High
At the same time, anti-Semitic acts dropped by 24% over the same period, from 662 incidents in the first five months of 2024 to 504 in 2025. However, this apparent decrease conceals a troubling reality: 64% of these acts are direct assaults against individuals, indicating a persistently high level of anti-Semitic violence, according to the authorities.
Anti-Christian Acts Also on the Rise: +13% in One Year
Christians have not been spared this wave of hatred. The Interior Ministry reports a 13% rise in anti-Christian acts, with 322 incidents recorded between January and May 2025, compared to 284 over the same period last year. Physical assaults targeting worshippers have also nearly doubled, reaching 51 cases this year, up from 26 in 2024.
A Troubling Imbalance Between Demographic Presence and Violence Experienced
The data highlight a stark imbalance between the size of religious communities and the level of violence they endure. Muslims represent about 9% of the French population, while Jews—numbering around 500,000 people—make up the largest Jewish community in Europe, accounting for less than 1% of the country’s total population. Despite their relatively small demographic weight, these groups are disproportionately targeted by acts of hatred.
A Fragile Social Cohesion, Urgent Measures Needed
In an increasingly polarized context, the figures published by the Interior Ministry reveal a troubling fragility in France’s social fabric. They underscore the urgent need to strengthen prevention, protection, and awareness mechanisms for all faiths, in order to safeguard coexistence and maintain cohesion in a society facing deepening divisions.
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