France has seen a significant rise in anti-Muslim incidents during the first five months of 2025, with reported cases increasing by 75 percent compared to the same period last year, according to figures released by the Interior Ministry.

From January to May, authorities recorded 145 anti-Muslim acts, up from 83 in 2024. The most concerning increase was in attacks against individuals, which surged by 209 percent, rising from 32 to 99 cases. These now account for more than two-thirds of all reported anti-Muslim incidents, Hespress reported on Thursday.

The surge coincides with a series of high-profile violent incidents, including the fatal stabbing of Aboubacar Cissé, a young Malian man, inside a mosque in southern France in late April. The alleged perpetrator, identified as Olivier A., reportedly recorded the act while making inflammatory remarks about Islam, sparking widespread outrage.

France is home to the largest Muslim population in Western Europe, estimated at around 9 percent of the national population. In recent months, the country has also witnessed growing public demonstrations denouncing racism and anti-Muslim sentiment.

Community leaders and human rights organizations have called on the French government to take urgent and concrete action to address the escalating trend of anti-Muslim violence and hate speech.