French President Emmanuel Macron has instructed his minister to take action after a report commissioned by the government was deemed a threat to France’s social and Republican institutions. The report, which the French government has decided not to fully disclose, claims that the Muslim Brotherhood is orchestrating a covert campaign via local proxies aimed at undermining France’s secular values and institutions. It suggests the group is particularly focused on influencing local governments, schools, and mosques, particularly concerning gender equality and secularism.
The report states that this threat, while not violent and perhaps evolving over a longer term, could still harm society and the framework of Republican institutions.
Christopher Holton, a senior analyst and director at the Security Policy Centre’s State Outreach, expressed surprise over the European intelligence report, especially given the ongoing denial of Islamization within Europe. He highlighted the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood, noting that they are quite open about their philosophy and intentions, which is something often not acknowledged in official Western reports.
While the report indicates that the Muslim Brotherhood operates a “national branch” in France, the group has refuted these claims as unfounded. Alain Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Association, remarked on the difficulty in assessing the extent of the Brotherhood’s infiltration in Europe, emphasizing the unique dangers they pose to both the Muslim community and European nations as they try to radicalize religious perspectives. This issue contributes to the increasing sectarian divisions within European society.
Meanwhile, scrutiny of the Muslim Brotherhood’s presence in the United States has intensified. Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, announced plans to reintroduce a modernized version of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Terrorist Designation Act, stressing the need for addressing what he sees as a threat to American security, particularly in the shadow of the Biden administration’s relationship with the group.
In a broader context, countries like Jordan have taken measures to ban the organization, joining nations such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates in restricting the Brotherhood’s activities.
