Letter to Roberta Metsola

Brussels, 23 May 2025

Dear President Roberta Metsola,

I write on behalf of the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO), the leading European network representing Muslim youth committed to civic engagement, democratic participation, and social cohesion.

We raise an urgent concern: the escalating attacks on our organisation, our members, and the broader right of European Muslim youth to participate in European public life. On 21 May 2025, the French Ministry of the Interior released a report titled “Muslim Brotherhood and Political Islam in France.” Though framed as a security analysis, the document is ideologically motivated, lacking any rigour, and dangerously equates lawful civic participation with undermining national security.

This report reflects a wider trend: European Muslim youth are caught in a no-win situation—labelled as “infiltrators” if they engage in public life, or “separatists” if they engage within their faith-based community. These narratives aim to delegitimise our presence and disqualify us from democratic life.

Let us be clear: FEMYSO is an independent, transparent organisation rooted in the values of democracy, inclusion, and human rights. For over two decades, we have worked with non-Muslim partners to build bridges and encourage European young Muslims to be active citizens. To frame the civic participation of minority youth as a national security threat is not only unjust—it is profoundly dangerous, particularly in an environment where we have seen rising incidents of Islamophobic hate crime.

Indeed, since the report’s release, far-right actors have been further emboldened to target us, including attempts to undermine our participation in the European Youth Event—one of the rare spaces for institutional youth dialogue and a space where all European youth should feel welcome. This is a matter of principle: no citizen should be excluded from public life because of their faith, visible identity, or civic engagement. What is at stake is the integrity of European democracy. We have always been inspired by your consistency in championing the involvement of young people in political processes, emphasising the need to listen to their concerns, actively engage them, and empower them to shape the future of Europe. And we recall your public message asserting that “Europe cannot afford to leave anyone behind. Not least our young people.” and also stating that “Wherever discussions are taking place about young people and their future, they should be there too.”

We therefore urge you to:

  • Publicly reaffirm support for inclusive youth participation, including for visibly Muslim young people and organisations
  • Address the spread of state-level disinformation and ideological profiling that normalises Islamophobia

A detailed policy brief is attached, outlining the broader implications of this report and the growing securitisation of Muslim civil society in Europe.

In the spirit of your public statements and given the gravity of this situation, we respectfully request an urgent meeting with you to discuss these concerns and explore potential avenues for addressing this issue at the European level. We believe that the European Parliament has a crucial role to play in protecting the rights and freedoms of all its citizens and in combating all forms of discrimination.

At a time of rising extremism, we cannot afford silence. Muslim youth are not a threat—they are an essential part of Europe’s future. We stand ready to work with all who share a vision of a democratic, inclusive Europe.

Sincerely,

Hania Chalal

PRESS RELEASE: FEMYSO denounces French report’s exclusionary narrative and attack on Muslim civil society 

(French below)

Brussels, Wednesday 21 May 2025 

The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) expresses deep concern at the French government’s recently published report and strongly condemns the defamatory and politically driven narrative which aims to delegitimise Muslim civil society actors — including our organisation — through vague and unsubstantiated allegations framed as national security concerns. We were never contacted or consulted in the drafting process- a glaring omission that mirrors the very exclusion the report attempts to normalise. 

FEMYSO is a proudly youth-led and democratic organisation. We categorically reject any attempt to associate us with political entities and urge the French government to reconsider the long-term consequences of policies that alienate its own citizens. French Muslims are part and parcel of the national fabric – engaged, proud, and committed to their society. 

It is particularly troubling that this report employs Islamophobic tropes and unsubstantiated claims at a time when constructive dialogue is most needed. We have seen similar rhetorical strategies in the public debate following the brutal murder of Aboubakar Cissé – moments when serious societal issues are avoided by stirring artificial controversies around terms like Islamophobia.  

FEMYSO remains steadfast in our mission to promote dignity, pluralism, and democratic participation. Today we have sent an official letter to the French Minister of the Interior, inviting him to meet with us and our members, experience first-hand the civic work our organisation does across Europe. We believe that engagement and dialogue – not exclusion and suspicion – are the foundations of a diverse, cohesive and vibrant Europe.  

We call upon European institutions, civil society actors, and all defenders of democratic values to stand firm against this dangerous trend to marginalise and silence European Muslim communities under the pretext of security.  

[END] 

1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is a network organisation for 32 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. FEMYSO responds to false allegations on links to Muslim Brotherhood  

3. Smear campaign investigation statement: 

4. FEMYSO New Yorker statement: https://femyso.org/femyso-new-yorker-statement/  

5. Further clarifications on our organization and its governance can be found on the FAQ page.  

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

COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE 

FEMYSO dénonce le récit excluant du rapport français et l’attaque contre la société civile musulmane 

Bruxelles, mercredi 21 mai 2025 

Le Forum Européen des Organisations Musulmanes Étudiantes et de Jeunesse (FEMYSO) exprime sa profonde inquiétude face au rapport récemment publié par le gouvernement français et condamne fermement le récit diffamatoire et politiquement motivé visant à délégitimer les acteurs de la société civile musulmane – y compris notre organisation – à travers des allégations vagues et non fondées, présentées sous couvert de préoccupations sécuritaires. Nous n’avons jamais été contactés ni consultés dans le cadre de l’élaboration de ce rapport – une omission flagrante qui reflète l’exclusion même que ce document cherche à normaliser. 

FEMYSO est une organisation fièrement dirigée par des jeunes et fondée sur des principes démocratiques. Nous rejetons catégoriquement toute tentative de nous associer à des entités ideologiques et appelons le gouvernement français à reconsidérer les conséquences à long terme de politiques qui marginalisent ses propres citoyens. Les musulmans de France font partie intégrante du tissu national – engagés, fiers et investis dans leur société. 

Il est particulièrement préoccupant que ce rapport reprenne des clichés islamophobes et des affirmations sans fondement, à un moment où le dialogue constructif est plus que jamais nécessaire. Nous avons observé des stratégies rhétoriques similaires dans le débat public qui a suivi l’assassinat brutal d’Aboubakar Cissé – des moments où des enjeux sociétaux réels sont évités en suscitant des controverses artificielles autour de termes comme l’islamophobie. 

FEMYSO reste fermement engagé dans sa mission de promotion de la dignité, du pluralisme et de la participation démocratique. Aujourd’hui, nous avons adressé une lettre officielle au Ministre de l’Intérieur français, l’invitant à rencontrer notre organisation et nos membres, afin de découvrir directement le travail civique que nous menons à travers l’Europe. Nous croyons que l’engagement et le dialogue – et non l’exclusion et la suspicion – sont les fondements d’une Europe diverse, cohésive et dynamique. 

Nous appelons les institutions européennes, les acteurs de la société civile et tous les défenseurs des valeurs démocratiques à résister fermement à cette tendance dangereuse de marginalisation et de réduction au silence des communautés musulmanes européennes sous prétexte de sécurité. 

[FIN] 

  1. FEMYSO (fondé en 1996) est une organisation de réseau regroupant 32 organisations de jeunesse et d’étudiants musulmans dans 20 pays européens. Il constitue la voix principale de la jeunesse musulmane européenne, œuvrant à son développement et à son autonomisation, et travaillant à construire une Europe plus diverse, cohésive et dynamique. 
  1. FEMYSO répond aux fausses allégations de liens avec les Frères musulmans. 
  1. Déclaration concernant l’enquête sur la campagne de diffamation. 
  1. Déclaration du FEMYSO en réponse à l’article du New Yorker :  
  1. Des précisions supplémentaires sur notre organisation et sa gouvernance sont disponibles sur notre page FAQ. 
  1. Pour plus d’informations ou pour toute demande, veuillez écrire à: media@femyso.org