More than 100 civil society organisations have urged European Parliament President Roberta Metsola to condemn what they described as hate speech and Islamophobic rhetoric by lawmakers during a parliamentary debate on a resolution targeting alleged “Islamist entryism” and the Muslim Brotherhood.

In a joint letter addressed to Metsola, the organisations expressed serious concern over statements made by several Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) during the Oct. 7 debate, arguing that the remarks fuel discrimination, stigmatise Muslim communities and undermine the participation of Muslim civil society organisations in European democratic life.

The letter cited remarks in which Muslims were accused of infiltrating democratic systems “like a creeping poison,” while a Muslim-led civil society organisation was described as a “Trojan horse.”

It also highlighted calls made during the debate to combat Islam's influence on European society, close prayer rooms, ban headscarves and halal food, and deport Muslims accused of placing the Quran above the constitution.

The signatories said such rhetoric amounted to incitement to discrimination and violated Rule 10 of the European Parliament's Rules of Procedure and Article 21 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

They particularly criticised the targeting of the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO), which was named in the resolution and a European Parliament press release.

The organisations rejected allegations that FEMYSO was attempting to infiltrate European institutions, stressing that it had maintained longstanding engagement with the European Parliament and other EU institutions. They noted that the organisation had participated in the European Youth Event since 2016 and held the European Action Day Against Islamophobia inside the Parliament in September 2026.

The letter also raised concerns over what it described as attempts to delegitimise anti-racism organisations, including FEMYSO and the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), because of their work addressing Islamophobia and advocating equal rights for Muslim communities.

According to the signatories, the resolution relies on vague and unsubstantiated allegations to justify restricting these organisations' access to EU institutions and funding. They warned that its adoption could undermine the work of civil society groups representing Muslim youth and communities across Europe.

The organisations further argued that the resolution contradicts EU commitments to equality and non-discrimination, including Articles 2 and 11 of the Treaty on European Union.

They also pointed to the European Commission's EU Anti-Racism Strategy 2026-2030 and the Council of the EU's recent conclusions on combating racism, both of which recognise anti-Muslim hatred as an issue requiring attention.

Citing a 2024 report by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the signatories said 47% of Muslim respondents had experienced racial discrimination during the preceding five years.

The letter also expressed concern over the European Commission's withdrawal of structural funding from ENAR, saying that the resolution's calls to withhold EU funding from organisations named in its text could further increase political and financial pressure on independent anti-racist groups.

Describing the situation as a circular process, the organisations argued that groups documenting anti-Muslim discrimination were subsequently accused of misusing anti-discrimination frameworks, with those accusations then being used to justify their exclusion from European institutions.

The signatories called on Metsola to take formal action against the alleged hate speech under Rules 183 and 184 of the Parliament's Rules of Procedure and publicly condemn the targeting of Muslim civil society organisations.

They also requested a meeting with representatives of FEMYSO, the Collective Against Islamophobia in Europe (CCIE) and ENAR to discuss the resolution, the allegations against the organisations and the implications for Muslim participation in European democratic life.

The letter concluded by urging the European Parliament president to ensure that the institution's commitment to equality and non-discrimination is reflected in its treatment of all sections of European civil society. (ILKHA)