FEMYSO is appalled by the violent attack against a mosque in the small town of San Javier in Spain on the early morning of 21 February 2021. “Death to Islam” was sprayed and the attackers tried to burn down the mosque through the use of explosives. Thankfully this was prevented by the local police and no one was injured.
FEMYSO would like to note the traumatising effect attacks like this have on the Muslim community of San Javier, and within the wider Muslim community in Spain and Europe. FEMYSO extends its heartfelt solidarity to the local community of San Javier.
This attack on Islam and Muslims in San Javier is part of an escalation of crimes committed against individual Muslims, mosques and Islamic organisations, within a context of heightened hatred towards the “other” in our European societies. This attack also takes place within the wider context of further institutionalised Islamophobia, where public officials condone and occasionally encourage Islamophobic hate speech by public figures, officials, and individuals. Such behaviour is one of the root causes of such violent attacks on our mosques and members of the Muslim community.
FEMYSO would also like to point out the duty of media to report equally on all acts of hate crime and hate speech. FEMYSO notes the underreporting of this event and calls for more overt displays solidarity for and amongst minority religious groups in Europe.
As an organisation representing thousands of young European Muslims, we will continue our efforts to prevent further division and hatred in our societies. We remain undeterred in our mission to strive for a more diverse, cohesive and vibrant Europe.
[End]
Notes
- FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network organisation for 33 Muslim youth and student organisations across 20 European countries, and is the leading voice for European Muslim youth, developing and empowering them, and working to build a more diverse, cohesive and vibrant Europe.
- For more information or requests please email media@femyso.org