Category: Statements

The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) sends its deepest condolences to the people of Hanau following yesterday’s devastating attack on their community. We extend our utmost support to the survivors and victim’s families in this incredibly difficult period.

Following the statement by the Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel who indicated that this was a racially motivated attack, we call upon the German authorities to provide assurances of protection to Muslim communities and other religious minority groups all across Germany. 

We call upon national and international institutions to condemn this heinous act in the strongest language, as should be expected of the leadership of our nations. 

“Firstly, I send my heartfelt condolences to the victims of the horrific attack on the community of Hanau on behalf of our organisation. Secondly, it would be unbecoming to not recognise the part that Islamophobic and anti-migrant rhetoric has played in this tragic event. The normalisation of this rhetoric in the mainstream is plain for all to see, therefore stamping out this hatred in all its forms must be our shared priority” – FEMYSO President Abdelrahman Rizk  

We at FEMYSO will continue our efforts in advocating against Islamophobia and all forms of hate speech, and push for more effective policies that reflect the seriousness of these matters.

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Notes

1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is an 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 information please email media@femyso.org

In the new mandate, 2020-2021, Hande Taner will be representing FEMYSO for a two-year mandate in the newly elected Advisory Council (AC). Last week, The AC met for its induction course at the European Youth Centre Strasbourg where the new members learned more about their tasks, role and the CoE’s structure and work on youth.

The AC is the non-governmental partner in the co-management structure which establishes the standards and work priorities of the Council of Europe’s youth sector and makes recommendations for future priorities, programmes and budgets. It is made up of 30 representatives from youth NGOs and networks in Europe and its main task is to advise the Committee of Ministers on all questions relating to youth. The AC meets twice a year in Strasbourg and Budapest with Council of Europe Member States to discuss recommendations and implementations of youth priorities.We wish the new Advisory Council and our representative Hande Taner good luck with the new mandate and we are looking forward to working together #ForYouthRights in Europe.

Check out this page (https://www.coe.int/en/web/youth/advisory-council-on-youth) to know more about the AC and its work!

The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) shares its disappointment that the European Parliament has failed to include the Youth Intergroup amongst the selected Intergroups for the current parliamentary mandate.

FEMYSO and its member organisations successfully mobilised youth across the continent to participate in the 2019 European Parliamentary Elections. This contributed to an increased turnout amongst young people who were emboldened by promises from MEPs and political parties that their priorities would be taken seriously. The failure to select the Youth Intergroup sadly shows otherwise.

‘We must see the European Parliament as representative of its member states and their populations. As the representative voice for Young Muslims in Europe we call upon our political leaders to make guarantees that young people and their priorities will not be forgotten‘ Abdelrahman Rizk, President, FEMYSO.              

As FEMYSO we issue an open call to those who care about the representation of youth in Europe to contact their local members of European Parliament to ask them to place the Youth Intergroup in their Intergroup priority list. As the decision isn’t final and there is scope to see the youth intergroup included if our representatives within their political groupings make a strong case.

Young people will not stand to see our interests side-lined, for it is though our participation that political structures draw their authority. This decision excludes the future of Europe from the top table and we hope to see it reversed.

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Notes

1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is an 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 information please email media@femyso.org

The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations shares its deep thoughts and prayers with the people of Albania as they were hit by a powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake. Our deepest concerns  go to the injured and the deceased and their loved ones.

Ardhmëria, our member organisation based in Albania, is collecting donations to support those affected by the recent earthquake. We encourage you to contribute towards this initiative. If you wish to be part of it you can find the bank details below.

INKT ACC. NO: 429000397

IBAN LEKE AL0720511296000397CLTJCLALLL

IBAN EURO: AL9820511296000397CLTJCFEURK

SWIFT CODE: NCBAALTXXX

FONDACIONI MIRESIA

TIRANE – SHQIPERI

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Notes

1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is an 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. Ardhmëria (est. 2001) is a national youth and student organisation based in Albania that believes in a just and balanced society with spiritual values, coexistence and mutual respect. Ardhmeria is a member organisation of FEMYSO.

3. For more information please email media@femyso.org

BRUSSELS, 16.10.2019

FEMYSO is deeply concerned with the active approach taken by the French government in securitising Islam and Muslims; severely limiting the freedom of religion; and creating targeted discrimination leading to social divide and hate crimes in France.

Recently, France’s President Macron and his government presented signs to identify a radicalised person, specifically targeting practicing Muslims. On October 14th, the University of Cergy (Paris) distributed a survey to their staff, to detect radicalisation amongst their students and colleagues. The survey included signs such as: wearing a headscarf, a beard without a moustache, being absent from class during prayer times and on Fridays, not drinking alcohol and not eating pork. After this survey was leaked on social media, the University tried to apologise explaining it was a mistake. 

Such actions of both the President, government and the University are intentional and actively feeds the culture of denunciation and suspicion towards Muslims and increases islamophobia in France. They only further stigmatise Muslims, alienate Muslim students expressing their faith and undermine effective counter-terrorism measures. They are also not isolated, yet part of a larger climate of suspicion against Islam and Muslims wider in a Europe facing increasing Islamophobia.

FEMYSO stands with Etudiants Musulmans de France (EMF) in advocating for the rights of all students across France, and working hard to promote active citizenship amongst its membership. FEMYSO urgently calls upon the French state, its public officials, university staff and other Member States to denounce the stigmatization of Muslims, to withdraw the biased signs of identifying a “radicalised” person and to protect the freedom of religion equally to all people of faith. 

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Notes

1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is an network organisation for 33 Muslim youth and student organisations across 23 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 please email media@femyso.org

CO-SIGNATURES

Etudiants Musulmans de France (EMF)

Moslimstudenten Associatie (MSA) Nederland

Mashriq Studentenvereniging (Netherlands)

Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) UK and Ireland

Muslim Association of Ireland (MAI) Youth

Islamische Gemeinschaft Milli Görüş (IGMG) Students

Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) Youth

Sveriges Unga Muslimer (SUM)

European Forum of Muslim Women (EFOMW)

Collectif Contre l’Islamophobie en Belgique (CCIB)

Collectif Contre l’Islamophobie en France (CCIF)

Fundación Al Fanar Para el Conocimiento Árabe (Spain)

Muslim Association of Greece

Associazione Studenti Musulmani Universitari (ASMU) Parma

Asocijacija za kulturu, obrazovanje i sport – AKOS (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Brussels, 11.10.2019

FEMYSO expresses their deepest condolences to the Jewish community of Halle and beyond after the reprehensive terrorist attack on the synagogue on the holy day of Yom Kippur.

We strongly condemn such cruel violence extend our heartfelt condolences to the victims, their family and the wider Jewish community.

This attack once more confirms the consequences of limited and biased counter-terrorism policies. While the attacker had also planned attacks on a mosque and politically left centre, he chose a synagogue and the Jewish community as a target. Radicalisation and extremism on the political spectrum should be prevented similarly, keeping in mind rising Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and other forms of racism and increasing white supremacy.

The Christchurch attack which had European roots, and which inspired the Halle terrorist, confirms this urgent need. FEMYSO thus once more urgently calls upon the European Union institutions, its EU Member States and OSCE Participating States to review their post-9/11 counter-terrorism measures, to increase the security of religious institutions and to work with religious civil society organisations in improving and protecting the rights of minorities.

We at FEMYSO will continue our efforts on strengthening civil society, advocating against all forms of racism and discrimination, and on maintaining and valuing peace and diversity in Europe.

On the occasion of the European Action Day against Islamophobia, the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) reiterates the need that European institutions must publicly recognise and condemn Islamophobia* as a specific form of racism. This is a pre-requisite in order to implementation of legislation and actions to prevent and tackle Islamophobia, which has become a major society issue impacting all of us. 

*A commonly held definition employed by these NGOs and organisations defines Islamophobia as “Acts of violence and discrimination, as well as racist speech, fuelled by historical abuses and negative stereotyping which leads to exclusion and dehumanisation of Muslims, and all those perceived as such. Islamophobia has nothing to do with criticism of Islam”.

Across Europe, the political and public discourse frames Muslims as the source of a problem which justifies the adoption of legislation and practices that are putting the core European fundamental rights and democratic principles at risk. This further divides the European society, instead of enabling all of us to live together to build a more diverse, cohesive, and vibrant Europe. It is time to see concrete political actions to address the rising discrimination and violence faced by Muslims on a daily basis in Europe.

It is significant to note that Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim hatred have a direct impact on the mental health of young muslims, as the negative stereotypes, racism, and attitudes of rejection have adverse consequences which directly affect their self-confidence, their general sense of belonging to the broader community, and it manifests with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. 

Today, more than ever, we urge European and national decision makers to get serious about tackling Islamophobia.

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Brussels, 13 September 2019

The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) is deeply concerned by lack of ethnic, racial and religious diversity and the adoption of far-right rhetoric by the new European Commission.

A fully white European Commission does not reflect our diverse and inclusive Europe. FEMYSO is the voice of Muslim Youth in Europe, and  brings minority youth from different European countries together to empower them to work for a more cohesive, diverse and vibrant Europe. 

Despite our efforts to spread the European project to marginalized, discriminated and alienated Europeans, current political rhetoric is increasing the alienation of minorities across Europe. The new President of the European Commission Von der Leyen has adopted steps within the rhetoric and direction of those who vilify the full diversity of Europe.

It concerns us and many across Europe to see the adoption of far-right rhetoric by establishing “Commissioner for Protecting our European Way of Life” role to oversee immigration policy. Protecting human life is core to European values, and conceptualising migration as a potential threat to European values only feeds into nationalist and fascist agendas.

It deeply concerns us as an Organisation who champions the fight against racism and discrimination in all shapes and forms to see the Justice Commissioner role being appointed to Didier Reynders who has received widespread criticism by Human Rights Watch after painting his face black during a traditional festival in Brussels in 2015. Such racist actions should disqualify Reynders from his appointment as EU Justice Commissioner. 

The European Union we stand for, represents protection, human dignity, diversity, democracy, equal protection of fundamental and human rights at all times to everyone.

FEMYSO strongly calls upon Members of the European Parliament to vote against the new cabinet of Commissioners. FEMYSO, despite supporting the new gender balance, calls on the Commission President Von der Leyen to review her appointments in order to reflect the full diversity of Europe and to appoint adequate Commissioners.

[END]

Notes

1. FEMYSO (est. 1996) is an umbrella organisation for 31 Muslim youth and student organisations across 23 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 please email media@femyso.org

On 02 August 2019, the Roma Genocide Remembrance Day, FEMYSO commemorates and remembers the suffering of Europe’s Roma and Sinti communities which were targeted with atrocity by the Nazi regime and its allies during WWII. It is to be noted that Europe’s Roma and Sinti population describe the Nazi genocide as the “Porajmos”, which translates to ” the devouring”.

In between 1936, specifically in Berlin before the city hosted the Olympic games, and 1944, when the Zigeunerlager (Gypsy Camp) at Auschwitz was closed and Roma and Sinti people were either murdered in gas chambers or sent for forced labour in other concentration camps, over 200,000 Roma and Sinti were either murdered or died due to starvation or disease. Note that the number amounts to about 25% of the Roma and Sinti population before WWII. Many more were denied access to education, were imprisoned, used as forced labour, and subject to forced medical experimentation and sterilisation.

Regardless of the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime and its allies, the Roma and Sinti experiences were only fully recognised in 1981 in West Germany.

Regrettably still today Europe’s Roma and Sinti communities are targeted by hateful political discourse and discrimination. History taught us the heinous crimes that took place before and during WWII, however it is our responsibility, as European citizen, to ensure that such heinous crime never happen again.

FEMYSO is deeply concerned of the escalation of persecution and violence directed at Europe’s Roma and Sinti communities,  and calls on European Governments to improve and strengthen their legal protection and to prosecute Political discourse aimed at inciting violence against the Roma and Sinti communities.

FEMYSO commemorates and mourns the more than 8,300 Bosniak Muslims which where massacred in an intentional genocide in Srebrenica in July 1995. The massacre took place as the UNPROFOR’s 370 Dutchbat soldiers failed to prevent the town of Srebrenica from being captured by Serbian forces. However the genocidal campaign had started already in 1992 and it included concentration camps, deportations, sieges, and massacres of Muslims in many cities of today’s Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the Srebrenica genocide remains to be the most painful point.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), both being judicial organs of the United Nations, issued several verdicts clearly stating that the Serb political and military leadership, primarily Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić, were responsible for committing genocide.

It is extremely disturbing to see that their legacy, as well as the legacy of other war criminals convicted of genocide, is continuously glorified and are seen as an inspiration for horrific massacres and attacks perpetrated around the world, including Christchurch terrorist attack in March 2019.

As part of last year’s (2018) General Assembly, FEMYSO organised a trip to the Srebrenica memorial centre, where we had the chance to meet with survivors of the war, and getting to know what happened more than fifteen years ago. The International Court of Justice in 2007 recognised genocide in Srebrenica.

It is the responsibility of all of us to remember the victims, to spread the truth, and to make sure that nothing similar never happens again.