France has recently introduced a series of stringent security measures aimed at countering the perceived threat posed by the Muslim Brotherhood and safeguarding the nation’s core values. These measures encompass the termination of contracts with suspect educational institutions, enhanced surveillance of religious associations and private schools, and the implementation of specialized training programs for imams. The initiative underscores France’s commitment to curbing extremism by disrupting financial channels and ensuring religious instruction aligns with republican principles.
According to media reports, these measures are intended to prevent extremist groups from evolving into active cells that could jeopardize national security and propagate radical ideologies. Analysts suggest that while these steps may curtail the public presence of such organizations, they might simultaneously drive them underground, necessitating more sophisticated monitoring mechanisms to address potential covert threats.
In a notable development, French authorities have terminated contracts with the “Kendi” school near Lyon, citing educational and administrative deficiencies, as well as violations of republican values. The regional executive authority in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region announced the decision earlier this week, marking a firm stance against institutions linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Bertrand Chamulot, head of French regional intelligence, recently stated in an interview with Le Monde that the Muslim Brotherhood is systematically working towards the establishment of an Islamic caliphate in France and Europe, a long-term objective that poses significant security risks.
Chamulot emphasized that the organization is operating across the country to achieve this goal.
Over the past two years, France has intensified its efforts against the Muslim Brotherhood. In May, the government launched an extensive investigation into the organization’s activities, influence, and financial sources.
Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin formed a dedicated committee to assess the group’s presence in France and its ties to European branches. Despite these measures, the organization’s future in one of its key European strongholds remains uncertain.
In a decisive policy shift, President Emmanuel Macron officially ended the recognition of the French Islamic Council in 2022, effectively withdrawing state acknowledgment of the Muslim Brotherhood. This move paved the way for the establishment of the “Forum of Islam in France” in 2023, designed to represent the Muslim community within the framework of republican values. The initiative aligns with Macron’s broader strategy to combat “separatism,” which was introduced in 2020.
France has also voiced concerns regarding European institutions that continue to provide funding or partnerships to organizations affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. The French government has cited Austria’s approach as a model for its new counter-strategy, which includes legal actions against Brotherhood-linked institutions and a thorough investigation into their financial networks. As part of this crackdown, authorities have targeted approximately 20 endowment funds established in the early 2000s, which are suspected of having ties to the organization.
In addition to financial scrutiny, France has refused to renew residence permits for key figures associated with the Muslim Brotherhood. Among them is Hamed Jablah, a prominent leader who returned to Tunisia in March after residing in France for four decades following an expulsion order. Jablah, who founded the Brotherhood’s French branch in 1983, formerly led the Union of Islamic Organizations in France. Similarly, in September 2022, authorities expelled preacher Hassan Ikoisin for alleged hate speech, and in 2023, former Tunisian Ennahda leader Ahmed Al-Warghami was deported to Tunisia after years of house arrest under extremism-related suspicions.
As France continues to implement its rigorous measures, the broader impact on the Muslim Brotherhood’s presence in the country remains to be seen. The government’s actions reflect a determined effort to preserve national security while upholding republican principles in an evolving geopolitical landscape.
