Three Months of Intolerance: How Media in Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary & the UK Amplified Religious Hate

Belgium 

In February 2025, Brussels was shaken by a wave of shootings linked to drug-related gang activity, especially in the neighbourhoods of Anderlecht and St. Josse. After several incidents and one fatality, the government increased police presence in hopes of restoring public safety. 

The most alarming event occurred at Clémenceau metro station, where gunmen were caught on camera brandishing assault rifles and opening fire. Thankfully, no one was injured, and authorities were quick to clarify that this, like the other attacks, was tied to organised crime— not terrorism. 

Despite this, social media platforms like X were soon flooded with misinformation. Unverified posts claimed the violence was part of a turf war between Moroccan and Algerian gangs, sparking a wave of xenophobic and anti-Muslim rhetoric. These harmful narratives gained traction even though no credible sources confirmed them— and despite police confirming there was no religious motive. 

This is a stark reminder of how quickly false information can spread online and how dangerous it can be. Instead of focusing on the root cause—gang violence—attention was diverted to scapegoating entire communities. This kind of rhetoric deepens division, spreads fear, and harms those who are already vulnerable. 

The media plays a crucial role in countering this. By sticking to verified facts, avoiding sensationalism, and challenging harmful narratives, journalists can help shift the conversation back to the real issues. But it’s also on us—what we share, believe, and say matters. If we want safer, more united communities, we must hold ourselves accountable and resist the pull of easy blame and online outrage. 

France 

In February 2025, as Belgium dealt with a series of gang-related shootings, France experienced its own act of violence in Grenoble. A grenade was thrown into the Aksehir bar, injuring twelve people, two of them critically. Authorities have suggested the attack may be linked to gang activity or drug trafficking and confirmed there is no evidence of terrorist involvement. 

Despite these official statements, social media platforms quickly became flooded with xenophobic and anti-Muslim commentary. On X, one user wrote, “I bet I can guess the demographic of the responsible party,” a post that received over 1.6k likes. Another comment, “grenades of peace,” garnered 300 likes. These kinds of posts, though completely unfounded, echo the same harmful reactions seen after the Brussels shootings— blaming entire communities without evidence. 

Deputy Mayor Chloé Pantel described the bar as a place where people from all backgrounds come together. Turning a criminal act into a story about race, religion, or immigration not only ignores the facts but also unfairly targets people who are just trying to live their lives in peace. 

This kind of misinformation is dangerous. It shifts the focus away from real issues like organised crime and instead spreads fear and division. While the media plays a role in sticking to facts and challenging false claims, we all have a responsibility to think critically about what we read and share. If we want safer, more united communities, we need to start with truth— not blame. 

Germany 

In February 2025, Germany was shaken by a series of violent and deeply troubling attacks that have stirred fear, grief, and difficult conversations across the country. 

One of the most devastating incidents was the Munich car attack, in which an Afghan national drove his vehicle into a crowd of peaceful demonstrators at a trade union rally. The attack injured 39 people and claimed the lives of two. Authorities confirmed that while the attacker was not on any terrorism watchlists, he had posted Islamist content online and reportedly shouted “God is great” in Arabic at the scene. As a Muslim myself, I want to say clearly: this man’s actions do not represent Islam or the wider Muslim community. His violence is his own, and nothing about his actions reflects the values of our faith. We mourn the lives lost and stand firmly against any form of extremism, no matter the ideology behind it. 

Only days later, another horrifying act of hate occurred with the stabbing at Berlin’s Holocaust Memorial, where a 30-year-old Spanish tourist was severely injured. The attacker, a 19-year-old Syrian asylum seeker, reportedly expressed a desire to kill Jews. This attack is not only tragic—it’s utterly vile. Targeting someone at a site meant to honour the memory of genocide victims adds another layer of cruelty. Since October 7th, there has been a disturbing rise in antisemitic incidents across Europe, and this attack is a painful reminder of how urgent it is to combat this growing hatred. Antisemitism must be confronted head-on— there is no excuse, no justification, and no place for it in any society. 

Then, in Magdeburg, tragedy struck again. What was initially a horrifying incident at the city’s Christmas market turned even more devastating as the death toll rose to six. Nearly 300 people were injured when a man drove into the crowd on December 20. While this attack was not classified as terrorism, it was no less disturbing: the perpetrator had expressed strong anti-Muslim views and supported far-right conspiracy theories about the so-called “Islamisation” of Europe. In the days that followed, migrant communities in the city reported a rise in racist abuse and attacks—another awful consequence of extremist rhetoric spreading unchecked. 

These three incidents are vastly different in motive and background, yet all share a dangerous common thread: hatred. Whether it’s religious extremism, antisemitism, or anti-Muslim bigotry, violence fuelled by hate tears apart communities, fuels fear, and costs innocent lives. 

This is a critical moment for Germany—and for all of us—to reject hate in all its forms. It’s a time to resist the urge to generalise, to blame entire communities for the actions of individuals, and instead commit to the hard work of building a society rooted in empathy, truth, and justice. Because whether the victims are Muslim, Jewish, or anyone else, the pain of these attacks is shared—and so must be the response. 

Hungary  

In Hungary, a deeply troubling event unfolded in 2025 when far-right groups from across Europe gathered in Budapest for their annual “Day of Honour.” This commemoration, which marks a failed Nazi attempt to break out of the city in 1945, saw thousands of people participating, some openly wearing Nazi uniforms and displaying far-right symbols. While it’s important to remember history, these actions go beyond that— they glorify ideologies that caused immense suffering. Public displays of Nazi insignia are not just offensive, they also serve to spread a dangerous, hateful, antisemitic message. 

At the same time, anti-fascist activists gathered nearby to protest the rise of far-right extremism—a growing concern not only in Hungary, but across Europe and beyond, as populist and far-right ideologies have increasingly taken centre stage over the past decade. The increasing visibility of these groups is alarming, as they continue to use historical events to fuel division, fear, and hate in the present. 

In early 2024, an Italian teacher was arrested in Budapest and charged with allegedly attacking neo-Nazis. Her arrest made international headlines when she appeared in court shackled. This sparked debate about how political violence is treated. Two years earlier, Hungarian right-wing extremists were also charged for attacking anti-fascists, but those cases were far less publicised. This disparity raises serious questions about how the justice system responds to acts of violence depending on who is involved. 

The fact that far-right groups can gather and openly celebrate Nazi symbols with little opposition, while those who fight against them are treated differently, is concerning. Allowing such ideologies to flourish unchecked not only normalises hate, but actively fuels the spread of division, fear, and violence across our societies. 

United Kingdom  

In February 2025, the issue of “grooming gangs” in the UK resurfaced, particularly on social media, with the same troubling narratives dominating the conversation. While protecting young people from exploitation is crucial, the way this issue is being framed often shifts the focus from child protection to pushing an anti-Muslim agenda. This month, we saw headlines like “Britain's Asian grooming gangs scandal laid bare: Interactive map reveals shocking extent of predatory men who sexually abused young girls across FORTY ONE UK towns...” These sensationalised stories overwhelmingly highlight offenders of South Asian and Muslim backgrounds, even though child sexual abuse is a problem that spans all communities. 

This selective focus on ethnicity perpetuates harmful stereotypes and amplifies racial bias, reinforcing false ideas that grooming gangs are a problem unique to Muslim or South Asian communities. Instead of addressing the real issues—like institutional failures in safeguarding and the need for prevention—the media is fuelling division and hostility. 

The media should shift its focus away from sensationalising the ethnicity of offenders and instead highlight systemic failures in child protection. It should spotlight efforts to prevent abuse, advocate for better institutional accountability, and amplify the voices of survivors. By doing so, the media can move the conversation from racial division to solutions for protecting children. The focus should be on prevention, justice, and accountability, not scapegoating entire communities based on race or religion.