Muslim Brotherhood 'threat to national cohesion' —French report
PARIS — The Muslim Brotherhood movement is a "threat to national cohesion" in France and action must be taken to stop the spread of "political Islam", according to a report to be presented to President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday. "The reality of this threat, even if it is long-term and does not involve violent action, poses a risk of damage to the fabric of society and republican institutions... and, more broadly, to national cohesion," said the report, a copy of which was obtained by AFP on Tuesday.
The report, prepared by two senior civil servants, is to be examined by the Defence Council on Wednesday.
France and Germany have the biggest Muslim populations among European Union countries.
The report pointed to the spread of Islamism "from the bottom up" and at the municipal level, adding the phenomenon constituted "a threat in the short to medium term".
In France, the movement is "based on a solid structure, but political Islamism is spreading primarily at the local level," the authors stressed.
"Resolute and long-term action on the ground seems necessary to stem the rise of political Islamism," they said.
The report highlighted the "subversive nature of the project", saying it aims "to gradually bring about changes to local or national rules," particularly those concerning secularism and gender equality.
Such "municipal Islamism" risks affecting the public sphere and local politics, the report said, pointing to "the creation of increasingly numerous Islamist ecosystems."
France's tough-talking Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau expressed concern on Tuesday about "a low-level Islamism" whose "ultimate goal is to turn the entire French society to Sharia law."
But the report authors said that "no recent document demonstrates the desire of Muslims in France to establish an Islamic state in France or to enforce Sharia law there."
Muslims in France (Musulmans de France), formerly the Union of Islamic Organisations of France, is identified as "the national branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in France."
"We are not dealing with aggressive separatism" but a "subtle (...) yet no less subversive aim for the institutions," the authors said.
The report estimates that there are 139 places of worship affiliated with Muslims of France, with an additional 68 considered close to the federation.
This represents seven percent of the 2,800 Muslim places of worship listed in France, the report said.
The Islamist movement is losing its influence in the Arab world and "focusing its efforts on Europe", it added.
A public awareness campaign must be combined with renewed efforts to promote a "secular discourse" as well as "strong and positive signals to the Muslim community" including the teaching of Arabic, the report said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Al Bawaba
a day ago
- Al Bawaba
Russia ends missile moratorium amid escalating tensions with U.S.
Published August 4th, 2025 - 04:49 GMT The move comes just two days after a sharp escalation in rhetoric between Russian Security Council Deputy Chair Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Donald Trump. ALBAWABA- Russia announced on Monday that it no longer considers itself bound by its self-imposed moratorium on deploying land-based intermediate- and short-range missiles, citing what it called the "actual deployment" of similar U.S. weapons in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. In a statement published on its official website, the Russian Foreign Ministry said: "Due to the fact that our repeated warnings in this regard have been ignored, and the situation has developed towards the actual deployment of U.S. land-based intermediate and short-range missiles in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, the Russian Federation recognizes that the conditions for maintaining a unilateral moratorium have disappeared." ⚡️موسكو: روسيا لم تعد تعتبر نفسها ملزمة بالقيود التي فرضتها على نشر الصواريخ البرية متوسطة وقصيرة المدى جاء في بيان نُشر على موقع وزارة الخارجية الروسية: "نظرًا لتجاهل تحذيراتنا المتكررة في هذا الشأن، وتطوّر الوضع باتجاه النشر الفعلي لصواريخ أمريكية متوسطة وقصيرة المدى ذات قواعد… — Sputnik Arabic (@sputnik_ar) August 4, 2025 The move comes just two days after a sharp escalation in rhetoric between Russian Security Council Deputy Chair Dmitry Medvedev and U.S. President Donald Trump. Medvedev threatened that Russia could target the United States directly, rather than Ukraine, due to Washington's continued supply of arms to Europe. Also Read "Remember the Nukes:" Ex-Russian fires a chilling warning at Trump His comments drew a swift response from Trump, who ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines near Russian waters, calling Medvedev's remarks a direct provocation. Tensions had already been on the rise after Trump, during a recent visit to Scotland and a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stated that Russia should be given just 10–12 days, not 50, to end the war in Ukraine. The latest developments reflect a deepening standoff between Washington and Moscow, with many analysts warning of a return to Cold War-style posturing that could spiral into direct confrontation. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Al Bawaba
a day ago
- Al Bawaba
India fires back at Trump's tariff threat, calls U.S. criticism hypocritical
ALBAWABA- India issued a strong rebuttal on Sunday in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose higher tariffs over India's continued imports of Russian oil. The statement, released by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, called the targeting of India "unjustified and unreasonable," highlighting what it described as the hypocrisy of both the U.S. and European Union, who continue to maintain robust trade ties with Russia. India clarified that its oil imports from Russia were not only legal but also necessary, arising from global supply disruptions following the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict. 'India began importing from Russia because traditional suppliers diverted their cargoes to Europe,' the statement read, noting that the U.S. had initially encouraged such imports to stabilize global energy markets. New Delhi emphasized that its energy deals are driven by the need to ensure predictable and affordable fuel prices for its population. 'Our imports are a national necessity, not a luxury. Meanwhile, countries criticizing us engage in Russian trade that isn't even vital to their economies.' The statement also cited data exposing the scale of European trade with Russia: €67.5 billion in goods and €17.2 billion in services in 2024 alone. The EU also imported a record 16.5 million tonnes of LNG from Russia in 2024, surpassing previous years. Likewise, the U.S. continues to import key materials such as uranium hexafluoride, palladium, fertilizers, and chemicals from Russia. India's response came shortly after Trump posted on Truth Social, accusing India of 'not caring how many people in Ukraine are being killed' and of 'buying massive amounts of Russian oil and selling it for big profits on the open market.' Trump vowed to "substantially raise tariffs paid by India to the USA." India rejected the claim as inflammatory and misleading. 'India will continue to take all necessary steps to safeguard its national interest and economic security,' the official statement concluded.
Jordan Times
2 days ago
- Jordan Times
Jordan's support, active diplomacy strengthen calls for Palestinian State — analysts
AMMAN — Jordan's support for Palestinian rights is gaining new momentum as 15 European countries, including France, the UK, Spain, and the Netherlands, announced this week that they are considering formally recognising the State of Palestine ahead of the UN General Assembly in September. In a joint statement issued Wednesday, the countries described recognition as 'a fundamental step towards achieving a two-state solution,' and called on the international community to join in the push. The announcement drew immediate condemnation from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, currently wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes in Gaza, who labelled the move 'punishment for the victim' and warned that a Palestinian state would pose threat to Europe. Speaking at an international conference in New York attended by foreign ministers and senior diplomats, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi reaffirmed Jordan's long-standing position that a two-state solution is 'the only path to peace.' 'The devastation in Gaza is a grim testament to the international community's failure to uphold international law,' Safadi said. 'Undermining the two-state solution leaves only a deep-rooted discriminatory regime that erodes the last vestiges of legality.' Safadi welcomed the European initiative, particularly France's announcement, describing it as 'a clear stand with peace and legality,' and urged other nations to follow suit. The diplomatic shift has been welcomed by Palestinian officials. Hussein Sheikh, deputy head of the Palestinian Authority, praised the conference declaration, which included calls for recognition of Palestinian statehood, a revival of the two-state track, adherence to international law, and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. Bader Madi, a political sociology professor, said the growing momentum reflects increasing international recogniton that occupation and peace cannot coexist. 'There is only one path to a just peace that ensures security and stability for our region: a two-state solution that ends occupation and establishes an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital,' Madi said. He warned that failure to act is already visible in Gaza's humanitarian catastrophe. 'Mothers are watching their children fade away without food, water, or medicine,' he said, adding that settlement expansion and violations in the West Bank are destroying any prospects for peace. Madi also cited regional concerns, pointing to Israeli strikes in Syria and violations of the ceasefire with Lebanon. He called for an immediate halt to the aggression in Gaza, the opening of all crossings for humanitarian aid, and the success of mediation efforts by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to facilitate a prisoner exchange. Strategic and security analyst Omar Raddad said the European shift marks a significant departure from past positions, especially in capitals like London and Paris. 'These moves appear more serious than symbolic political gestures or responses to domestic public opinion,' Raddad noted. 'But their implementation will require time, Palestinian unity, and acceptance from both Israel and the United States.' He added that increased international pressure may be needed, but 'there are now genuine opportunities for tangible breakthroughs in favour of Palestinian statehood.' Raddad also linked the recognition efforts to broader plans for the post-war situation in Gaza, suggesting that continued recognition could help bring the conflict to an end. 'US envoy Amos Hochstein's recent visit included a comprehensive proposal, not just a truce, but a full package, suggesting potential U.S. engagement in a more permanent solution,' he said. As the UN General Assembly approaches, regional and international actors appear to be aligning for what could become a pivotal moment in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one in which Jordan's consistent stance is playing a critical role.
