Month: April 2025

PRESS RELEASE  

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION  

Brussels l 27 April 2025  

FEMYSO DEMANDS FULL ACCOUNTABILITY AFTER ISLAMOPHOBIC MURDER INSIDE FRENCH MOSQUE 

The Forum of European Muslim and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) is deeply outraged by the Islamophobic execution of Aboubakar, a 22-year-old volunteer of Malian heritage, inside La Grand Combe mosque, France –during the early hours of Friday 25^th April 2025.

According to the surveillance cameras and media accounts, the assailant stabbed Aboubakar at least 40 times, filmed the dying victim and hurled Islamophobic slurs before fleeing the scene. 

THIS CRIME EXPOSES A SYSTEMIC FAILURE 

The brutal murder of Aboubakar, a premeditated hate-driven terror attack – is the foreseeable outcome of years of unchallenged state measures that single out Muslims, political rhetoric that trades in fear, and a media environment that has normalised the vilification of Muslims.  

France recorded one of the highest rates in Europe on discriminatory ethnic profiling (57%), a trend that has only accelerated as far-right narratives migrate fringe talk-shows into parliamentary debate and state policies. When governments choose targeting Muslim communities or worse, indifference toward such hostility, they license the very violence that ended Aboubakar’s life.  

FEMYSO’s immediate demands 

1. The French prosecutor must mobilise all efforts to arrest the perpetrator known as Oliver H. and charge him under terrorism and hate-crime statutes, reflecting the explicitly anti-Muslim hatred motive.  

2. Until this plague of anti‑Muslim violence is cured, dedicated national and EU funding streams must be established to provide physical security and community support for mosques and Islamic centres across Europe. 

3. The French Government and the European Commission must launch an immediate review of laws and practices that disproportionately target Muslims, with a clear roadmap to repeal or amend them. 

“The blood spilled in La Grand-Combe now stains every French and EU institution that has ignored the rise of Islamophobia” declared Hania Chalal, FEMYSO President. “Either Europe turns this outrage and empty condolences into concrete legislation, budgets and prosecutions – or it can frankly admit that Muslim lives are negotiable. We are done waiting.” 

 
FEMYSO stands in solidarity with Aboubakar’s family, the local community, and all Muslims across Europe who wonder whether their next prayer at their local mosque could be their last. We will continue to challenge every policy that fuels hatred and press every institution for action until Mosques are secure and anti-Muslim racism is met with the full force of the law.  

[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. 
    

The world has lost a moral force who stood unapologetically with the oppressed. FEMYSO mourns the passing of Pope Francis, a global religious leader who used his voice to uplift the voiceless and challenge power in pursuit of justice.  

At a time where marginalised people, including migrants, refugees and minorities are too often scapegoated for society’s ills, Pope Francis offered a different vision- one rooted in compassion and humanity. He reminded the world that we should respond to human suffering with empathy, openness and shared responsibility.  

Throughout his papacy, he stood firmly with the oppressed. Whether speaking out against poverty, environmental destruction, or war, he used his platform to challenge injustice and call for action.  

FEMYSO particularly honours Pope Francis’ outspoken support for the Palestinians. While much of the international community chose silence in the face of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Pope Francis chose to speak clearly and boldly. Even from his hospital bed, he reached out nightly to the Palestinian Christian community in Gaza and spoke about against the killing of children.  

At a time of rising Islamophobia and division, Pope Francis made real efforts to build bridges between communities to interfaith dialogue, rooted in respect, humility and shared values. He also helped create space for meaningful cooperation between Muslims and Christians across the World.  

As the pan-European network of Muslim youth and students, FEMYSO shares Pope Francis’ belief that faith must drive us towards justice, peace, and solidarity with the oppressed. His legacy strengthens our resolve to keep pushing for a more just, compassionate, and united world. 

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 

Brussels – 15 April 2025 –  

We, the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) and the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) – Europe, express our deep concern over the continued targeting of civilians of violence in Gaza andthe broader region, particularly the recent bombing of al-Ahli Hospital and the restrictions placed on Palestinian Christians seeking to attend Palm Sunday services in Jerusalem. 

These developments not only raise serious humanitarian concerns but also strike at the core of fundamental rights: the right to life, the right to health, the right to freedom of worship, and the protection of civilians under international law.  

Despite clear protections under the Geneva conventions, hospitals in Gaza have been repeatedly bombed by Israeli forces, Al-Ahli hospital had remained the only critical lifeline after the destruction of medical facilities including Al-Shifa medical complex in Northern Gaza. According to the Palestinian Civil Defence, Sunday’s airstrike destroyed the surgical building and oxygen generation facilities, forcing doctors and patients to evacuate with less than 20 minutes’ notice. Since October 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) has verified at least 654 attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza, highlighting the systematic erosion of the territory’s already devastated health system. 

Moreover, Israeli forces blocked thousands of worshippers from entering Jerusalem to attend Palm Sunday services. Regulations require Palestinians to obtain special permits to enter religious sites including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Only a limited number of worshippers were allowed who were mostly from Jerusalem or Palestinian citizens of Israel.  

As young people of faith committed to peace, justice and sanctity of human dignity, we are profoundly dismayed by these acts of violence. The deliberate targeting and destruction of medical facilities- spaces that are meant to heal and not harm- represent grave violations of international law and fundamental human rights. Hospitals and clinics must never be weaponised or deliberately destroyed. Likewise, the right to religious practice must be fiercely safeguarded- particularly during sacred times such as Holy Week, when communities seek refuge in worship, not fear. 

We call on all actors to uphold international law, ensure the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure, and preserve access to places of worship for all communities. 

At a time of immense suffering, we stand in solidarity with all those affected – Palestinian Muslims and Christians alike – and renew our shared commitment to dialogue, justice and the dignity of every human life.  

[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. The WSCF is a global federation of student Christian groups forming the youth and student arm of the global ecumenical movement.
3. For more information or requests please email media@femyso.org 

FEMYSO Condemns European Complicity in Israel’s war crimes and calls for accountability and respect for International Law 

The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) expresses deep alarm at the growing complicity of European leaders in Israel’s ongoing violations of international law and human rights in Gaza.  

While the International Court of Justice (ICJ)¹ found it plausible that Israel’s acts could amount to genocide and the International Criminal Court (ICC)² has issued an arrest warrant for top Israeli officials over alleged war crimes, some EU leaders have continued to engage with Israeli officials. Hungary’s decision to host war crimes suspect Benjamin Netanyahu – despite being legally obligated under article 127 of the Rome Statute to cooperate with the International Criminal Court (ICC)³ for one full year following its withdrawal notification – is a grave breach of international norms.  

Equally troubling is the recent visit of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas to Israel, describing Israel as a good partner⁴ despite the continuous international law violations. These actions send a harmful message, undermining the international legal system and underlining that political interests override states’ legal obligations regarding justice and accountability.  

Since March 2, no humanitarian aid has entered Gaza. According to the UN⁵, all 25 bakeries supported by the World Food Programme have been shut down, and two-thirds of Gaza is now a no-go zone due to relentless Israeli bombardment. The breakdown of the ceasefire on March 18 has resulted in at least 1163 civilian deaths, including 322 children and over 142 000 people displaced in less than three weeks. Israeli officials have also declared plans to seize large areas of Gaza⁶, indicating an alarming shift towards annexation and permanent occupation. Yet, we have seen disappointingly weak statements by European leaders despite Europe’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law. Moreover, Israel is ramping up its plans to annex the West Bank. Recent statements by senior Israeli officials threatening Gaza-like devastation in Palestinian towns mark an alarming escalation and further entrenchment of the occupation. ⁷ 

FEMYSO President Hania Chalal stated that “These acts continue to reflect a persistent lack of accountability and failure to address the genocide in Gaza, in violation of the Geneva Conventions and in customary international law. FEMYSO strongly condemns ongoing war crimes, and the crime of genocide committed in Gaza, as well as the enabling silence and complicity of EU officials and leaders of EU Member States.” 

We call on EU officials and member states to: 

• Immediately and fully endorse and implement the ICC arrest warrants.  

• Immediately implement the ICJ preliminary rulings issues on the 11^th  and 12^th of January 2024. 

• Uphold their obligations under international law, including by desisting from providing diplomatic support for those violating these obligations. 

We also call on civil society organisations to speak up against complicity in genocide and to stand up for justice, accountability, and human dignity. 

Justice and peace will never be achieved through partnerships with war criminals. The EU cannot continue economic partnerships and business as usual. Silence in the face of genocide is complicity.  

¹ Summary of the Order of 26 January 2024 | INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE 
² Situation in the State of Palestine: ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I rejects the State of Israel’s challenges to jurisdiction and issues warrants of arrest for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant | International Criminal Court
³ Israeli leader Netanyahu applauds Hungary’s ICC exit on Budapest visit | Reuters 
⁴ Israel: remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas at the joint press conference with Minister for Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar | EEAS 
⁵ Israel says plenty of food in Gaza, UN says that’s ridiculous 
⁶ Israel announces plan to seize ‘large areas’ in Gaza – as it happened
⁷ Israel’s Smotrich vows escalation against Palestinians in West Bank, threatens Gaza-like fate 

[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