YOL ( Exclusive) – Paris : A French government report warning of the threat posed by the Muslim Brotherhood in France was released on May 21, 2025, after being presented to President Emmanuel Macron during a high-level security meeting. Commissioned in May 2024, the report was prepared by two senior French officials to assess the impact of political Islam and the Muslim Brotherhood on French society.

The report describes the Muslim Brotherhood as a “threat to national unity,” stating that the group seeks to undermine secular values and republican institutions through a long-term, non-violent strategy. It focuses on the Brotherhood’s activities in schools, mosques, and non-governmental organizations, aiming to influence policies related to secularism and gender equality.

In response to the report’s findings, President Macron instructed the government to draft proposals to counter the threat, with a Defense Council meeting scheduled for early June to discuss potential measures. While the report will not be fully published, some actions will be publicly announced, while others will remain classified.

Notably, the report draws a direct link between the “Musulmans de France” (Muslims of France) association and the Muslim Brotherhood—an association that has repeatedly denied any formal ties to the organization. The report has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising it as a necessary move to safeguard republican values, while others warn against stigmatizing the broader Muslim community.

France in the Crosshairs of the Brotherhood: Silent Infiltration and a Challenge to the Republic:

Since its founding in the 1920s, the Muslim Brotherhood has never abandoned its global political ambitions — even while adopting the guise of “social work” and “religious outreach” in the West. This is the central finding of the French government report released on May 21, 2025, described as one of the most comprehensive investigations into the Brotherhood’s structure, presence in France, and transformation into a long-term religious-political actor pursuing a subtle, patient strategy.

A Closed Circle, Broad Influence:

At the heart of the Brotherhood lies a tight-knit inner circle of ideologically committed elites — the organization’s core leadership. Yet, its influence extends far beyond official membership. Thousands of sympathizers, NGOs, schools, and charities across France have absorbed, partially or wholly, the movement’s ideological framework.

Academic Divergence… and Intelligence Concern:

The report outlines a divide in academic opinion: one camp views the Brotherhood as an evolving, decentered movement adapting to modern contexts, while another asserts that it remains a structured, hierarchical organization operating behind legal and social façades. The report endorses the latter view, warning of a “soft infiltration strategy” that leverages victimhood narratives and religious legitimacy to advance its agenda.

Old Agenda, New Vocabulary:

Despite the death of founder Hassan al-Banna, his vision — along with that of ideologue Sayyid Qutb — remains central. Concepts like hakimiyya (divine sovereignty), sharia, and Islamic identity have been repackaged for Western audiences, but their essence remains intact.

Qaradawi and Ramadan: Soft Faces of a Hard Ideology:

•  Yusuf al-Qaradawi: Rebranded Brotherhood thinking through “Islamic centrism” and “minority rights,” but frequently issued fatwas laced with anti-Western and antisemitic rhetoric.

•  Tariq Ramadan: Advocate of a “European Islam,” he maintained a conservative tone aligned with Brotherhood ideals, particularly on women’s rights and interfaith issues.

From Preaching to Power: The French Experience:

France stands as a case study in the Brotherhood’s methodical penetration of public space. Through the creation of the Union of Islamic Organizations of France (UOIF) — now known as Musulmans de France — the group expanded into education, civic activism, and local politics, influencing municipal councils and public discourse.

A Subtle Separatism, No Less Dangerous:

The report warns that the Brotherhood's danger does not lie in overt violence, but in a gradual and systematic reshaping of public legitimacy and civic identity. It operates through institutional integration, while ultimately seeking to rewrite the rules of the Republic — especially on secularism.

Legal Dimensions: How Europe Frames the Threat,

The report compares approaches across Europe:

•  Belgium defines extremism as any political, religious, or philosophical ideology that contradicts democracy or human rights.

•  The UK focuses on ideologies rooted in violence, hatred, or intolerance, even without formal legal codification.

•  France legally defines separatism as an attempt to dismantle the national community — but the report stresses that this fails to capture the Brotherhood’s subtle and stealthy approach.

Despite a seemingly moderate tone, the Brotherhood shares with Salafi and Tablighi movements several critical risk markers — notably communal isolationism and implicit rejection of republican values.

After the Report: What Should the State Do?

The report urges a two-pronged strategy:

•  Firm, localized countermeasures against networks of influence;

•  A renewed secular narrative that offers positive alternatives for French Muslims, especially in areas of funding, religious training, and institutional representation.

Conclusion

In this long-term battle, the Brotherhood’s threat does not stem from weaponry — but from legitimacy. Its goal is not to destroy the state, but to reshape it from within. 

And in that, it may have an edge over its adversaries: it moves slowly, infiltrates silently, and builds patiently over decades.

The question is no longer: Are they a threat?

But rather: Has the state waited too long to name it?