On Friday, 30 October 2026, as part of its 30th General Assembly and anniversary celebrations in Brussels, the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) hosted a reception bringing together representatives of partner organisations and key stakeholders.
The reception opened with remarks from FEMYSO President Hiba Latreche, who reflected on the organisation’s achievements over the past three decades, recognising the collective efforts that have shaped its journey and the impact of its work across Europe.
In her opening words, she addressed the importance of continued engagement and leadership, stating: “As we begin our fourth decade together, I want to speak directly to all people in this room and beyond it: do not wait for an invitation, get involved, take on leadership roles, and serve humanity, not just your community.” She highlighted that, despite the progress made, significant challenges remain and there is still much work to be done to ensure meaningful representation, equality and inclusion for young European Muslims.
The programme also featured a presentation by FEMYSO’s Head of Campaigns, who introduced several of the organisation’s upcoming publications, highlighting ongoing projects and initiatives aimed at strengthening knowledge, advocacy and engagement around issues affecting young European Muslims. Among the publications presented were Revisiting Definitions: Building a Coherent Framework to Address Islamophobia in Europe and the Islamophobia Research and Student Advocacy Handbook. These publications seek to contribute to ongoing discussions on how Islamophobia is understood and addressed across Europe, while providing valuable resources to support research, student advocacy and the development of a shared and coherent framework.
Beyond the formal programme, the reception offered participants an opportunity to connect, exchange perspectives and learn from one another. Representatives of partner organisations engaged in conversations about shared priorities, potential joint projects and new opportunities for cooperation, reinforcing the importance of maintaining strong relationships across civil society and European youth networks.
Throughout its 30-year journey, FEMYSO has placed great importance on building meaningful partnerships with civil society organisations, youth networks and European institutions. These relationships have played an important role in creating opportunities for dialogue, fostering cooperation and amplifying the voices of young European Muslims.
As FEMYSO marks three decades of empowering young Muslims and strengthening youth participation across Europe, the reception served as a reminder that meaningful progress is built through collective efforts. Looking ahead, FEMYSO remains committed to strengthening existing partnerships, developing new collaborations and working alongside its partners towards a more inclusive, diverse and cohesive Europe.