A snapshot analysis of anti-Muslim mobilisation in France after terror attacks

The document analyzes anti-Muslim sentiment in France, noting that terrorist attacks in October 2020 triggered significant spikes in hateful online discourse. Using social media listening tools, the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) identified key narratives including the alleged 'islamisation' of France, anti-headscarf rhetoric, and the 'great replacement' conspiracy theory. The analysis highlights the role of far-right politicians and media outlets in mainstreaming this discourse, particularly targeting Muslim women.

• Terrorist attacks in October 2020, specifically the killing of Samuel Paty in Conflans-Sainte-Honorine on 16 October and the Nice stabbing on 29 October, caused a sharp increase in anti-Muslim discussion on Twitter and Facebook. On Twitter, content volume peaked on 21 October with an 823% increase in posts between 20 and 23 October.
• The analysis identified three primary narratives driving anti-Muslim discourse: the condemnation of the alleged 'islamisation' of French society, anti-headscarf discourse, and reactions to the Conflans-Sainte-Honorine attack. The 'islamisation' narrative often echoed the 'great replacement' conspiracy theory, suggesting white French people would become a minority.
• Anti-headscarf rhetoric was a dominant theme, often linked to the government's 'bill on Republican principles' (formerly the 'bill against separatism'). High-reach posts frequently used the term 'voile islamique' (Islamic veil) to frame the headscarf as a symbol of female oppression and a danger to society.
• Right-wing and far-right public figures and media outlets played a central role in driving these conversations. On Facebook, the most active pages included the official accounts of the Rassemblement National (RN) party and its leader Marine Le Pen, as well as outlets like Valeurs Actuelles and TV Libertés.
• The document notes a broader climate of insecurity for French Muslims, citing a 2019 Fondation Jean Jaurès study where 42% of French Muslims reported faith-based discrimination, rising to 60% for women wearing a headscarf.

APA

Guerin, C., & Fourel, Z. (2021). A snapshot analysis of anti-Muslim mobilisation in France after terror attacks. Institute for Strategic Dialogue. https://www.isdglobal.org/digital-dispatch/a-snapshot-analysis-of-anti-muslim-mobilisation-in-france-after-terror-attacks/

Chicago

Guerin, Cécile, and Zoé Fourel. A snapshot analysis of anti-Muslim mobilisation in France after terror attacks. Institute for Strategic Dialogue, 2021. https://www.isdglobal.org/digital-dispatch/a-snapshot-analysis-of-anti-muslim-mobilisation-in-france-after-terror-attacks/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Guerin |first1=Cécile |last2=Fourel |first2=Zoé |title=A snapshot analysis of anti-Muslim mobilisation in France after terror attacks |publisher=Institute for Strategic Dialogue |date=20 April 2021 |url=https://www.isdglobal.org/digital-dispatch/a-snapshot-analysis-of-anti-muslim-mobilisation-in-france-after-terror-attacks/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{guerin2021snapshot, author = {Guerin, Cécile and Fourel, Zoé}, title = {{A snapshot analysis of anti-Muslim mobilisation in France after terror attacks}}, institution = {Institute for Strategic Dialogue}, year = {2021}, month = apr, url = {https://www.isdglobal.org/digital-dispatch/a-snapshot-analysis-of-anti-muslim-mobilisation-in-france-after-terror-attacks/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }