The 6th Shura Council Meeting of the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE), held October 1st to 4th in Istanbul, has issued a statement alluding its connection to a campaign regarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque controversy. The statement refers to a “campaign of Europeans for Jerusalem”:
In an atmosphere of brotherhood and serious dialogue, the event started with a welcome speech from the Head of Al Hikmah Organization in Turkey that participated in organizing the reception of attendees and taking care of their comfort. The speech included a reminder of Turkey’s role both past and present in enriching dialogue and cooperation between cultures and faiths. This was followed by the commencement speech given by the President of the Islamic Organizations in Europe, where he thanked all participants and guests at the opening, and focused on the most important issues which the federation tackled during the past period, some of which were presented to the Council for study and research. After ensuring that the attendance was complete and sufficient, and authorizing the meeting agenda, the recent decisions and recommendations of the Council and the General Authority were reviewed, and action steps decided to implement them. The Council allotted in this session a long meeting to review the reports of the member organizations, and what the European arena is seeing as new developments. Then the Council commenced to discuss the remaining issues on the agenda, the most important of which were the file concerning establishing a European Scout Union, the perspective of the Federation regarding the file of new Muslims, the campaign of Europeans for Jerusalem, and the Muslim Family Campaign which was initiated by the Federation this year.
One of the statement conclusions also references he Al-Aqsa mosque by name:
6- The Council is following with great chagrin the dangerous developments in Jerusalem and Al Aqsa Mosque, and condemns the series of constant violations and judaization that Jerusalem and the other Palestinian lands are being submitted to, in light of the intransigent policies of Israel: insisting on establishing settlements and continuing forced occupation, defying completely the international community and its organizations. The Council calls to all free men in the world and all European people to work towards stopping these violations, and to defend the right of all people for freedom and justice and autonomy.
As noted in earlier posts, FIOE had previously issue this statement on the Al-Aqsa issue:
The European Muslim Brotherhood, represented by the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE), issued a statement claiming that “Occupation forces and gangs of Israeli extremists launched a new assault, en masse, on the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the peaceful worshippers praying there” calling it “one of the gravest of the escalating Israeli assaults on Jerusalem”. The statement called for various actions including inviting ” Muslims in Europe and their institutions to organise various civic actions, to condemn this new attack on the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque.”
A previous post also discussed a statement by the FIOE-affiliated European Council for Fatwa and Research (ECFR) which also accused Israel of deliberate attacks on the Al-Aqsa mosque. The statement referred to the:
… “Judaization of Jerusalem, and the attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque.” The Council called the most serious danger “the international policy of the annexation of Jerusalem to the Zionist entity.”
A NEFA Foundation report documents the numerous ties between FIOE and the European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza and recent posts have discussed plans by a British MP and the Campaign to launch legal action directed at the EU in regard to the Israeli blockade of Gaza and reported that a delegation from an anti-Gaza blockade campaign, likely the same group, had been expected to meet with high-ranking EU official Javier Solana. It is possible, but not confirmed, that the Al-Aqsa campaign alluded to in the statement may refer to the Palestinian organization also known as “Europeans for Jerusalem” and tied to the “Conference of Palestinians in Europe” that appear to have been held annually since 2003 and supported by the European Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas support infrastructure.
A NEFA Foundation report describes FIOE as follows:
The Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE) claims to be an independent organization representing the interests of Muslims in Europe. In reality, the FIOE is an umbrella group that comprises the global Muslim Brotherhood in Europe. Strong links connect FIOE’s leadership central institutions and member organizations to the Brotherhood, as well as to Saudi Arabia. Funding for the FIOE is derived largely from Gulf sources, including some of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates. The FIOE has strong ties to Hamas and Hamas fund-raising organizations, and some FIOE member organizations show evidence of links with Al-Qaida. The FIOE recently opened a headquarters office in Brussels and has had some success in positioning itself as a “dialog partner” for the EU and other important institutions.