PARIS — A recent report from French authorities has unveiled that organizations associated with the Muslim Brotherhood have been engaging in significant lobbying to influence European Union institutions. This unsettling revelation indicates that these Islamist groups are pushing for policies that could potentially undermine the secular values upheld by France.
Influence efforts targeting EU parliament
The report, which has been viewed by POLITICO prior to its official release, claims that the Muslim Brotherhood’s ideological affiliates aimed to sway Brussels to criminalize blasphemy and endorse a narrow interpretation of religious freedom. Such efforts stand in stark contrast to France’s commitment to a secular state that safeguards both the freedom of religion and the freedom from religion. Notably, the European Parliament and its members were highlighted as primary targets in these lobbying attempts.
The French Ministry of the Interior is anticipated to publish a redacted version of the report, excluding sensitive sources that may face repercussions from its dissemination, along with references to ongoing legal matters. This follows a national security council meeting chaired by President Emmanuel Macron, where discussions about the report took place. Macron’s office has indicated that the report will be made publicly available by the end of the week.
Allegations against specific organizations
According to the document, which is said to be based on numerous interviews with academics, Muslim leaders, and intelligence officials, the Muslim Brotherhood is accused of advancing its agenda through various pan-European groups that align with its ideology. These organizations reportedly have financial backing from known sponsors of Islamist movements, such as Qatar and Kuwait. Among those named are the Council of European Muslims (CEM) and the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO). The report asserts that individuals within the Brotherhood’s inner circle are connected to CEM, while FEMYSO is depicted as a training ground for Muslim Brotherhood officials.
FEMYSO has categorically denied these allegations, whereas CEM has yet to respond to requests for comments. The report’s findings resonate with a similar government review conducted in the United Kingdom a decade ago.
It is also suggested that the Muslim Brotherhood has attempted to mask its influence campaigns under the pretext of combating Islamophobia. Nevertheless, there are indications that the group has struggled to substantiate specific claims, such as an anti-discrimination campaign using the slogan “freedom is in hijab,” as directly tied to their efforts.
In light of these alarming findings, France has been proactive in reinforcing its secular principles. Recently, Benjamin Haddad, France’s Europe Minister, called for more stringent oversight of EU grant allocations, following accusations that some funds were directed towards campaigns that do not align with France’s secular values and potentially benefit Islamist-linked entities.
Macron has instructed his administration to devise strategies to combat the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood, with proposals expected to be discussed in the coming month.
In a related development, an earlier version of the report was leaked to conservative media outlets, prompting various political figures to weigh in before the official release. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau, who had prior access to the complete report, suggested that it would unveil the threat posed by “Islamist infiltration.”
Presidential candidates have seized on the leak to voice their concerns. Jordan Bardella, the president of the far-right National Rally, expressed that the Muslim Brotherhood represents “one of the most existential challenges facing our country.” Conversely, Gabriel Attal, former prime minister and current leader of the centrist pro-Macron Renaissance party, proposed a ban on Muslim headscarves for minors under the age of 15.
On the left, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a far-left leader, accused the government of inflaming Islamophobia and giving credence to far-right narratives, stating emphatically, “That’s enough! You’re going to destroy the country.”