Germany says 91 mosques were attacked in 2016

The German government says 91 mosques were attacked in the country in 2016

The German government says 91 mosques were attacked in the country in 2016.

Exterior view of the Mevlana mosque in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014. Police say a fire at the mosque in Berlin may be the result of arson and they are looking into a possible political motive. (AP File Photo)

The interior ministry said in a report sent to The Associated Press late Friday that most attacks — 21 of them— took place in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, which is the country’s most populous state with a high number of Muslim immigrants.

The report did not detail how badly the different mosques were vandalized. However, it said police identified suspects in 12 cases and made one arrest.

Attacks on mosques and Muslim migrants have been on the rise since the arrival of some 890,000 asylum-seekers in 2015 caused a backlash and anti-Muslim sentiment in some parts of German society.