The Shura Council (Leadership council) of the Federation of Islamic Organizations In Europe (FIOE) has issued a closing statement after its recent meeting in Istanbul, Turkey held in late September. The points of interest include:
4. The Council notes with deep disappointment the current worrying trend in some European countries, in terms of inciting public opinion against Muslims, hurling insults against the religion of Islam, and fuelling selective racism and political extremism. The Council considers that such campaigns of incitement are an unacceptable breach of the values and obligations of which European societies are proud, and serve to create a culture of extremism that is detrimental to the culture and harmony of society, and does not serve the interests of any country. The Council expresses its alarm regarding the setbacks in the area of essential rights and religious freedoms in some European states, including unprecedented actions taken against some European citizens in terms of revoking citizenship or expulsion.
5. The Council calls upon all those concerned—authorities, institutional bodies, the media, state officials, intellectuals, public opinion leaders, human rights organisations, and civil society institutions, to mobilise in light of their moral responsibility in dealing with the phenomenon of hate and incitement against Islam and Muslims, and the wave of deterioration in freedoms and rights, both religious and personal, which requires greater solidarity, cooperation, and mutual understanding, to protect the human values of European societies, and constitutional principles, as well as exerting greater efforts to protect civil liberties, and the values of equality and equal opportunities.
7. The Council is deeply disturbed by the attacks and violations perpetrated by the Israeli occupation authorities and settler gangs, in the holy environs of Al-Quds (Jerusalem), in what can only be classified as ethnic cleansing, Apartheid, and colonialist expansionism. The Council also views with great alarm the continuing unjust blockade inflicted on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, and demands its immediate lifting.
8. The Council expresses its satisfaction, valuing highly the continuing achievements of the people of Kosova on the path of prosperity witnessed by that independent country, and expresses its hope of achieving further progress and prosperity. In this regard, the Council also points to the recent judgement by the International Court of Justice, which confirmed the legality of the independence of Kosova.
A report on FIOE by the NEFA Foundation describes the organization 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.