FEMYSO denounces the Islamophobic instrumentalisation of the Holocaust Remembrance Day of Euractiv’s Editor-in-Chief

FEMYSO strongly condemns the shameful weaponisation of Holocaust Remembrance Day by Euractiv’s editor-in-chief, Matthew Karnitschnig, who used this solemn occasion to promote divisive and Islamophobic discourse.

His claim that antisemitism is inherent or universal to Muslim migrant communities is not only fallacious and entirely unfounded but also dangerously ignores a key driver of antisemitism’s resurgence: the rise of nationalist populism across Europe.

At a time when we should be strengthening our collective memory and commitment to fighting hatred in all its forms, Karnitschnig’s article serves only to further stigmatise already marginalised communities.

This reckless scapegoating fuels Islamophobic narratives and distracts from the responsibility that governments, institutions, and political actors bear in the fight against all forms of racism, including antisemitism.

We demand the immediate removal of this Islamophobic article and a formal apology for the harm caused. Such inflammatory rhetoric has no place in responsible journalism, particularly from a media platform that claims to uphold journalistic integrity.

As FEMYSO, we have witnessed first-hand the alarming normalisation of Islamophobia in European media, where Muslim communities are routinely vilified and blamed for societal issues while structural discrimination and far-right radicalisation remain unaddressed.

The fight against antisemitism must not be used as a pretext to promote Islamophobic tropes. Instead, we must unite against all forms of hatred.

FEMYSO remains steadfast in its commitment to combating racism in all its manifestations—whether antisemitism, Islamophobia, or any other form of bigotry. We call on media organisations to take responsibility in fostering narratives that promote solidarity rather than division.

[END]

Notes: 

1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network organisation for 32 Muslim youth and student organisations across 22 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. Euractiv article:  https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/opinion/the-brief-never-again/

3. FEMYSO statement on The International Holocaust Remembrance Day: https://femyso.org/international-holocaust-remembrance-day-2025/

4. For more information or requests please email media@femyso.org

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

The international Holocaust Remembrance Day is an important day to honour the memory of the six million Jews brutally murdered by the Nazi regime, alongside millions of others, including Roma, ethnic Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, people with disabilities, and members of other persecuted groups. FEMYSO honours their memory and recognises the profound pain carried by the survivors and their families to this day.  

The Holocaust emerged from a culture of unchecked hatred and dehumanisation, where fascist ideologies were allowed to flourish. The systematic erosion of dignity, the normalisation of hate speech, and the slow acceptance of discrimination created conditions that made genocide possible. Today, we see these patterns in the rise of far-right movements across Europe and beyond.

This day serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed and the importance of standing together against hatred and intolerance in all forms. The failure to combat this hatred and intolerance risks individuals dehumanising others, becoming radicalised and acting on those beliefs.

Antisemitism remains a pervasive issue across Europe today. According to a Fundamental Rights Agency survey published in 2024, 96% of Jewish people in the European Union said they encountered antisemitism daily. These forces not only threaten Jewish communities but also target Muslims, Roma, migrants and other minorities, endangering the lives of racialised groups in Europe.

FEMYSO is committed to standing in solidarity with our Jewish brothers and sisters in the fight against antisemitism. We believe that addressing this form of racism is inseparable from combating Islamophobia, antigypsyism, anti-Black racism, anti-Asian racism and other forms of discrimination.

As we honour the memory of Holocaust victims, we must also strengthen our initiatives to combat the root causes of genocide: dehumanisation, political extremism, and the normalisation of hate. FEMYSO affirms its commitments to work toward a world where the rights of all regardless of background are respected, where diverse communities can thrive together, and where “Never Again” truly means never again.

[END]

Notes:  

1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network organisation for 32 Muslim youth and student organisations across 22 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 information or requests please email media@femyso.org

 .

—-

FEMYSO advocates for justice and equality and confronts systemic discrimination on International Day of Education 

On this International Day of Education, FEMYSO stands in solidarity with all those advocating for accessible, equitable and inclusive education. Education is a fundamental human right and is transformative in breaking cycles of poverty, discrimination, and inequality. Yet far too many, particularly those from marginalised communities such as Muslims, continue to face systemic barriers that hinder their access to quality education. 

Discrimination and institutional bias remain pervasive. According to the FRA’s recent report titled “Being Muslim in Europe”, 16% of Muslim parents report that their children face harassment or bullying at school due to their ethnic or immigrant background, with 6% experiencing physical abuse. These injustices are compounded by racial profiling, silencing and surveillance of Muslim students – especially those showing solidarity with Palestinians – who face disciplinary action for protesting and exercising their right to freedom of speech. 

Education systems must also confront their Eurocentric curricula, which marginalise the histories and contributions of non-Western communities while undermining the principle of true objectivity. On the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, FEMYSO calls on European ministries of education to include this significant history of the genocide committed against Bosniaks that took place on European soil 30 years ago.  

Furthermore, socioeconomic inequalities further limit access to education for marginalised communities as a result of rising costs of school supplies and tuition fees. FEMYSO supports initiatives like the European Youth Forum’s #banunpaidinternships campaign, ensuring young people have equal access to professional opportunities without exploitation.  

To amplify these issues, FEMYSO is proud to organise its upcoming study session in cooperation with the Council of Europe: “Student Voices Amplified”. This training will address student affairs, elevate youth perspectives, and empower Muslim youth and students from across Europe to advocate for equity and inclusion within educational systems. 

We call on governments and educational institutions to take concrete steps to address systemic discrimination, decolonise education, and remove economic barriers. Education must be a right for all, not a privilege for the few.  

[END] 

Notes:    

1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network organisation for 32 Muslim youth and student organisations across 22 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 information or requests, please email media@femyso.org  

FEMYSO welcomes ceasefire in Gaza, calls for sustained advocacy against injustice

The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) acknowledges the recent ceasefire deal in Gaza as an essential step toward halting the violence and the killing of civilians. The destruction of hospitals, schools, universities and homes is nothing short of devastating, and it will take decades for the people of Gaza and the State of Palestine to recover, rebuild and heal- if the terms of the ceasefire are fully implemented and respected.

Student movements have historically played a crucial role in advocating for change and holding authorities accountable. The recent mobilisation of students and youth across Europe has demonstrated the power of collective action in raising awareness and pressuring policymakers to address injustices. FEMYSO stands in solidarity with these movements and encourages continued engagement to ensure that the voices of youth are heard and respected.

FEMYSO calls on the EU to safeguard the rights of students, youth and activists across Europe, ensuring their ability to mobilise and advocate for global justice without fear of repression.

While the ceasefire is a necessary and positive development, it does not mark the end of the struggle for justice and human rights in the region. FEMYSO remains deeply concerned about the ongoing challenges, including the shrinking of civic space, systemic injustices, and the persistent double standards in the application of international law justice. These issues undermine the principles of democracy and human rights that we, as a society, hold dear.

[END]

Notes: 

1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network organisation for 32 Muslim youth and student organisations across 22 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 information or requests please email media@femyso.org