Spain, Aparicio, R., and Domenech, C. Report on intolerance and discrimination against Muslims in Spain: gathering information and practices to combat Islamophobia, Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones, press release, 2020

Country

Spain

Title

Spain, Aparicio, R., and Domenech, C. Report on intolerance and discrimination against Muslims in Spain: gathering information and practices to combat Islamophobia (Informe sobre la intolerancia y la discriminación hacia los musulmanes en España: recopilación de información y prácticas de lucha contra la islamofobia) Observatorio español del racismo y la xenofobia (OBERAXE), Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones, press release, 2020.

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Year

2020

Type of publication

Study - qualitative research

Geographical coverage

National

Area/location of interest

Not applicable - national level

Type of Institution

Public authority

Institution

SPAIN, OBERAXE (in Spanish acronyms), Spanish Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia of the State Secretariat for Migration of the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration (Observatorio español del racismo y la xenofobia (OBERAXE) de la Secreta

Main Thematic Focus

Hate crime Incitement to hatred or violence Racism & xenophobia Discrimination Integration & inclusion Hate speech Islamophobia Ethnic profiling Religious freedom Public perceptions & attitudes

Target Population

Ethnic minorities Muslims Migrants Right-wing extremists Religious minorities People with migrant background

Key findings

According to the reviewed bibliography, the current use of the term Islamophobia describes the attitude of rejection of the colonial authorities towards the colonized Muslims by applying to them the qualifiers of irrational, fanatic, and retrograde. According to data from the Union of Islamic Communities, Muslims represent approximately 4% of the total Spanish population and Sunni rites are the most widespread in Spain for the practice of Islamic worship. In this context, Islamophobia ranges from hate crime to denialism. Ministry of Interior and entities such as the Citizen Platform Against Islamophobia agree in pointing out that the internet and social networks are the areas where the highest incidence of hate speech is registered (70% of those registered in 2017). This means that 70 percent of the respondents considered that hate speech had increased due to the action of the media. Within this, the networks occupy a relevant place. The report only refers to the situation of Muslims. It is worth to note that according to the reference term used in the report, Islamophobia is described as the attitude of rejection by the authorities and the colonial society towards the colonized Muslims by applying the adjectives of irrational, fanatic, and retrograde to explain a logical attitude of rejection and confrontation with the colonial power. The same qualities and facts valued positively in a European were valued negatively in a Muslim. Islamophobia ranges from hate crime to denial of racism, including the minimization of the racist facts and lack of active policies in this regard.

Methodology (Qualitative/Quantitative and exact type used, questionnaires etc)

The aim of the research was to obtain updated information on the situation of Islamophobia and the actions underway to combat it in Spain. To this end, a review of the literature on the subject and a survey were carried out in order to obtain an overview of how Islamophobia is perceived by Muslim and non-Muslim entities and individuals. However, this report includes only the information obtained on the term Islamophobia, as well as data from different sources about the Muslim population in Spain and the acts and crimes related to Islamophobia. The report also includes actions that have been located aimed at preventing and combating Islamophobia.

Sample details and representativeness

Not applicable

DISCLAIMERThe information presented here is collected under contract by the FRA's research network FRANET. The information and views contained do not necessarily reflect the views or the official position of the FRA.