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Rabat – Muslim migrants and residents in Spain are facing a large wave of Islamophobic attacks and anti-migrant sentiment, and slander. Far-right rhetoric is gaining ground as parties like Vox weaponize a recent attack on a Spanish man to portray all migrants as potential criminals.
Torre Pacheco in southeastern Spain witnessed an increase in tension and violent incidents, with Vox members calling on Spaniards to hunt migrants from North Africa, particularly from Morocco.
This came after an isolated attack against a 68-year-old Spaniard on Friday, with converging reports suggesting that three youths of North African origin had beaten him up.
Since then, police arrested dozens, including three who have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the attack. Seven detainees were also arrested for assault, public disorder, and hate crimes. The suspects include six Spaniards and one person of North African origin.
International media shed light on the situation, expressing concerns over far-right media rhetoric, portraying migrants and Muslims as the villains in the story.
RTBF reported on Monday that racial tensions rocked Torre Pacheco for the third consecutive night, with unrest looming large.
Despite an investigation to identify the main suspects in the assault case against the retiree, far-right members and media blamed North African immigrants living in the town.
The news outlet said the assault that took place in the region was the product of attackers that were not local residents, but radical outsiders, “reportedly influenced by far-right leaders from parties like Vox and alt-right social media influencers promoting white nationalism.”
Social media has been swept by posts targeting Muslims in Spain, blaming the government for “allowing migrants in.”
“Have you guys seen what’s been going on in Spain? Nobody is talking about this, but Muslim migrants have decided to start attacking Spaniards in the streets, and Spaniards have mobilized to fight back,” one user wrote on X.
Others shared reports on the attack on the Spanish man, identifying the suspects as “Muslim migrants” despite the ongoing investigation that is yet to shed further light on the case.
Far-right narrative and rhetoric cause flaring tension, with many targeting Muslims and mosques across the region.
Reports indicate that suspects set the Piera mosque ablaze in Barcelona in an apparent hate crime.
“The burning of Pera Mosque in Spain isn’t just arson, it’s art for a growing wave of global Islamophobia,” one user said.
“Pierra Mosque Arson, Spain. Islamophobia is no longer regional. The attack in Barcelona reflects a global crisis of hate,” another wrote.
Spain’s Federation of Islamic Religious Entities (FEERI) condemned the growing wave of anti-Muslim incidents, expressing strong concerns about recent attacks on Spain’s Muslim community.
The federation also denounced protests against Muslims and migrants, urging the Spanish government to protect worshiping centers and the Muslim and migrant community in the European country.
Abna24 reported that Mayor of Piera, Carme Gonzalez Anjaum, expressed support for the Muslim community, describing it as a well-integrated community.
She also called for protesters to exercise caution, awaiting the ongoing police investigation.
On Monday, Interior Minister Fernando Grande Marlaska accused Vox of inciting the recent wave of violence in Torre Pacheco.
Marlaska said eight have been arrested so far, including five for acts of violence are Spanish nationals. He added that an investigation is ongoing to determine the full scope of responsibility.
Marlaska said Vox is exacerbating the unrest in Torre Pacheco, noting that “organized groups” are active to criminalize immigration instead of promoting coexistence and prosperity.
