When Evidence Isn’t Enough: Government Dismisses Report on anti-Muslim Discrimination

On March 21st 2025, the National Research on anti-Muslim Discrimination, commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, was published. Together with colleagues from Regioplan, Borja Martinovic, Verena Seibel and Stefanie Sprong, affiliates of the focus area and members of the ERCOMER research group examined Muslims' experiences of subtle, overt and institutional discrimination, in education, at work, in health care, in public spaces, and in dealing with institutions.

Based on both an extensive literature review and in-depth qualitative research, the report concludes that Muslim discrimination is a widespread phenomenon in the Netherlands that occurs in different domains and stages of life, can take different forms, and often forms a pattern. The increased normalisation of Muslim discrimination means that these experiences are not incidental but contain a clear structural component.

It is therefore important that solutions look at the broader structures. The responsiblity for taking action with the government and other large organisations. However, it is crucial that Muslims are involved at all steps in the design and implementation of any measures to target discrimination.

Read more on the original article : https://www.uu.nl/en/news/when-evidence-isnt-enough-government-dismisses-report-on-anti-muslim-discrimination