Holocaust Memorial Day 2022 #WeRemember

#WeRemember as the Muslim Youth of Europe

Holocaust Memorial Day should provide us all with a bitter reminder of the realities of where fascism and racism can lead our societies.

President of FEMYSO Hande Taner said ‘The murder of 6 millions Jews alongside thousands of other ethnic and minority groups including over 500,000 thousand Roma is a stain on our history, our region must never seek to forget. Instead it should remain as a collection of moments that stir the anti-racist spirit in each and every one of us, reminding us that remaining silent is not an option.’

The Fundamental Rights Agency Second survey on discrimination and hate crime against Jews in the EU, found that nine in 10 (89 %) Jews consider that antisemitism has increased in their country, with more than eight in 10 (85 %) considering it to be a serious problem. Jews around Europe rate antisemitism as the biggest social or political problem where they live.

These alarming statistics, and facts such as the antisemtic attacker of the Halle synagogue incident being inspired by the attacker of the Christchurch mosque massacre, paint a stark picture on the reality of anti-semitism in our region. European leaders must take heed and listen to Jewish communities in their efforts to see effective policy implemented to tackle this evil ideology.

FEMYSO will continue to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters in our collective efforts to see a Diverse, Cohesive and Vibrant Europe for all come to fruition.

Notes:

  1. 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.
  2. For more media-related information or requests please email media@femyso.org.

FEMYSO Statement on the European Year of Youth 

As we enter the year 2022, we at FEMYSO as the voice of Muslim Youth in Europe are proud to welcome the European Year of Youth. 

The European Year of Youth Youth will focus on re-establishing a positive outlook for European young people negatively affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  In order to mark this important milestone, our organisation will amplify calls for one key message: this must be the European Year for all youth, including minority groups and marginalised voices.  

FEMYSO President Hande Taner said “Young people have been at the forefront of bringing progressive change to our region, and have been supporting their communities in the midst of this pandemic which already disproportionally affected the., Selfless in their commitment to creating a better Europe, they are the leaders of today, not just tomorrow. We sincerely hope this year signals a shift in the way young people are seen in our society.” 

The multitude of challenges young people face in the coming years as a result of this pandemic must not be ignored. We call on our European institutions to fulfil their responsibilities to their young population, removing barriers to meaningful engagement and amplifying our voices to play an active role in policy and decision-making processes.  

The decisions made over the coming years will impact the youth of Europe for decades to come. Therefore it is merely logical that the wishes of all youth are taken into consideration We are skilled, educated and more than able to lead our communities – we just need to be given opportunities.  

As FEMYSO we will continue our efforts to empower and support all youth voices in order to fulfil our mission of working towards a more diverse, vibrant and cohesive Europe for all.

Notes: 

  1. 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.   
  1. For more media-related information or requests please email media@femyso.org.