FEMYSO

Who Are We?

FEMYSO (Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations) was established on the 1st September 1996. Its mission is to be a platform for youth organisations to congregate, exchange information, gain experience and benefit from each other, to work for a better Europe.

Is there a Need for Such an Organisation? With over 25 million Muslims present in East and West Europe, there is a desperate need for Muslims across Europe to have a voice within the European structures and also to meet to co-ordinate and co-operate. The FEMYSO is trying hard to fulfil this need and always requires your help and the help of your organisation.

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Background

The first Europe-wide meeting of Muslim youth organisations took place in Sweden in 1995, when the Foreign Ministry of Sweden in co-operation with the Swedish Muslim youth organisation SUM (Sveriges Unga Muslimer), organised an international conference on Islam in Europe.

The participants at this conference felt the need to establish better communication between the organisations and undertake steps for greater co-operation and co-ordination. The JMF (Jeunes Musulmans de France), The YMUK (Young Muslims UK) and The SUM (Sveriges Unga Muslimer) were given the responsibility to look into this. In June 1996 the FIOE (Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe) joined these organisations and invited them to a meeting in Birmingham, UK to facilitate this process. The Islamic Foundation, Leicester, also became involved.

It was agreed that a further meeting would be held in 1996 in Leicester. 35 Participants attended this meeting from eleven countries, representing 19 youth / student organisations. This meeting helped to create a bond between those present and the FEMYSO was launched.

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Today

FEMYSO has developed into a wide network of 37 member organisations, bringing together youth from over 40 countries. It is now a well-known European INGO. Over the last 4 years it has become the de facto voice of Muslim Youth in Europe and is regularly consulted on issues pertaining to Muslims in Europe and has developed useful links with the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, the United Nations and a host of other relevant organisations at the European level.

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Aims and Objectives

To effectively represent its member organisations in all spheres of European life – from political to social, private to public.

To encourage the development of a European Muslim Identity, via the involvement of Muslim youth in discussions, educational and awareness programmes, highlighting their social responsibilities and contribution
to Europe.

To be an international network which can facilitate in providing services and global links to youth organisations.

To create a network within Europe to cater for youth exchange trips, transfer of experiences and cross-cultural exchange of information.

To identify avenues of co-operation among its member organisations and, on a greater scale, its wider contacts within Europe. This will include projects of interest to other religious and non-religious youth bodies, to enable dialogue at the inter-faith and inter-cultural levels.

To establish management and leadership programs to enhance the skills and potentials of youth.

To continuously review the problems and challenges that youth are encountering in Europe and provide alternative solutions to the symptoms and causes, the principle goal being action rather than words.

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Our Vision for Europe

FEMYSO envisages a Europe in which Muslims take pride in their historical contribution to the development of European civilisation and their 800-year presence in Spain; to look to the future to contribute to European Society as European Muslims. Europe is well known for its tolerance and democratic values, but we also see with great sadness the rise of racist and Islamophobic prejudice in many European cities. The FEMYSO is committed to fighting prejudice at all levels, so that the future of Europe is a Multicultural, Inclusive and tolerant one, in which all people can work hand in hand to create a peaceful and prosperous society.