At least 950 attacks targeted Muslims in Germany in 2017, Interior Ministry says

Interior Ministry figures show that at least 950 attacks occurred in Germany on Muslims and Islamic institutions last year, the Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung reported Saturday.

At least 33 people were injured in the attacks, almost all of which were carried out by people on the extreme-right, according to the figures, which were provided after a request from the Left Party.

Almost 60 incidents involved attacks or damage inflicted on mosques and other Islamic institutions, including the smearing of pig's blood on buildings.

The crimes recorded included the incitement of hatred against Muslims, threatening letters, attacks on women wearing headscarves, and Nazi-themed graffiti sprayed on mosques and other buildings.

In addition to the extreme-right, sympathizers of PKK terrorist group, supposedly pursing a left-wing ideology, frequently attack Turkish individuals, mosques, religious institutions and community centers during rallies or individual attacks.

The German government has only collected data on anti-Muslim attacks since the beginning of last year, so there is no comparable data for 2016.

Aiman Mazyek, chair of the Central Council of Muslims in Germany, told the newspaper he was sure that the crimes recorded did not represent all those committed against Muslims.