Whilst Muslim residents of the Grand Duchy broadly feel well-integrated in Luxembourg, 60% of respondents to an inquiry maintain that Islamophobia exists in Luxembourg.
The results of an inquiry held by the Islamophobia Observatory, a non-profit founded in 2016 to promote intercultural dialogue in Luxembourg, reveal that Islamophobia is present in Luxembourg.
Around 20,000 residents of Luxembourg are Muslims and feel broadly well-integrated in the country. The inquiry noted that the sense of integration in Luxembourg was stronger than in the neighbouring countries. Yves Boden, the Observatory's president, confirmed that the inquiry shows a sense of contentment in Luxembourg, yet this does not mean that Islamophobia - prejudice and hostility against Muslims - does not exist in the Grand Duchy.
Lahcen Abarri, the head of the research and psychological unit, explained that Islamophobia is most prevalent in the workplace, in the media, and in public spaces. Nevertheless, Islamophobia has also been observed in the realm of politics. The Observatory has noted that some MPs have attempted to stigmatise the presence of Islam in Luxembourg with targeted parliamentary questions concerning Muslims.
The inquiry surveyed 340 Muslims (1.3% of the Muslim population in Luxembourg), almost half of whom hold Luxembourgish citizenship. Split by gender, 57.4% were men and the remaining 42.6% were women - 13% of the women surveyed wear the hijab and a further 1.5% wear the niqab. Only 15 women wear the full face veil in Luxembourg.
The report was the first large document published by the Observatory, which is to date not funded by the state.
