Islamophobic attack on Muslim woman in France's Gardanne leaves her injured and traumatised

A 43-year-old Muslim woman was violently attacked by two women in Gardanne, a town in the Bouches-du-Rhône region of southern France, due to her wearing a hijab.

The assault occurred on November 25 and is believed to have been motivated by Islamophobia, involving both physical violence and racist slurs, Caliber.Az reports, citing Moroccan media.

The attackers allegedly followed the woman, calling her "veiled" and accusing her of "taking advantage of social benefits while we’re starving." They also reportedly said, “We should get rid of her like the Palestinians.” When the woman confronted them, telling them, "You have no right to talk to me like that," the attackers attacked her.

“They pinned me to the ground and beat me. They ripped off my hijab and pulled my hair while calling me a ‘dirty race,’” the victim recounted. The assailants also issued death threats, saying, “We must finish her off.”

A friend of the woman took her to the hospital, where medical staff treated her for a wrist hematoma, fractured ribs, abrasions on her legs, and facial bruises. According to reports, two days after the attack, the emotional trauma remained intense, and the victim struggled with psychological distress.

“I want to stay home, but I have four children. I’m angry and keep thinking I should have defended myself,” she said.

The victim has filed a police report, and her relatives are seeking witnesses to the assault.

This latest Islamophobic attack is part of a troubling pattern of violence against Muslim women in France, particularly those wearing the hijab. In cities across the country, Muslim communities have faced increasing racist and Islamophobic acts, including offensive comments on social media, vandalism of mosques, cemeteries, and Muslim-owned businesses, and other forms of harassment.

France has faced growing criticism for its policies, which include discriminatory measures such as banning women and girls who wear the hijab from participating in sports and prohibiting the wearing of Islamic headscarves in schools.

By Tamilla Hasanova