The Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE), representing the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe, announced in mid November that it had held a celebration of the end of the Hajj season that included unidentified “officials from European institutions, members of Parliament, representatives of official and religious bodies, civil society organisations, and public figures.” According to the announcement:
The Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe (FIOE) held a celebratory function in the Belgian capital, Brussels, on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha, the end of the Hajj season, and the advent of the New Hijri Year. The function, held on 12 November 2012, was attended by a number of ambassadors, consuls, and representatives of Islamic and European diplomatic missions in Brussels, officials from European institutions, members of Parliament, representatives of official and religious bodies, civil society organisations, and public figures, including Muslim leaders in Belgium. The Head of the Public Relations and Citizenship Department in the Federation, and Member of Parliament, Abdirizak Waberi, welcomed those present, emphasising the Federation’s interest in continuing constructive communication with official and religious bodies, as well as civil society organisations, for the good of European societies, and to strengthen mutual understanding.The President of the Federation of Islamic Organisations in Europe, Chakib Benmakhlouf, gave a speech on this occasion, in which he pointed to the noble values inherent in the Hajj season, Eid, and the New Hijri Year. The President of the Federation also tackled a number of issues preoccupying Muslims and European societies in general. A number of speeches were also made at the event by the participants, along with varied programmes, and an abstract art exhibition.”
A post from later in November reported on a FIOE statement which said that Israeli military action in Gaza had threatened to continue the “atrocities” of the last Gaza conflict. A post from February discussed a trip to Gaza by FIOE President Chakib Ben Makhlouf where he visited Hamas facilities, praised Palestinian “martyrs, and visited the grave of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yasine who was killed by Israel.
A NEFA Foundation report on the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE) 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.
A post from September reported that a FIOE leader had been appointed as an adviser to Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi.