Latest news with #NathalieGoulet
Al Etihad
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
TRENDS symposium focuses on stopping Brotherhood financing to safeguard Europe against ideological penetration
6 July 2025 10:05 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)A symposium held by TRENDS Research & Advisory stressed the need to stop cross-border financing that benefits the Muslim Brotherhood and its networks, warning of the intellectual and security threats resulting from such activities. It also called for broader cooperation between European and Arab countries to develop a comprehensive strategy to combat this complex symposium, organised by TRENDS in collaboration with French Senator Nathalie Goulet, was held in Salle Monory at the French Senate in the Palais du Luxembourg. Titled Toward Concerted Efforts to Stop the Financing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe: Challenges and Opportunities, the symposium featured prominent elites, experts, academics, and officials from Europe and Arab countries. TRENDS Research Project Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, welcomed the audience and emphasized that financing extremist groups—particularly the Muslim Brotherhood—is one of the most serious challenges facing contemporary societies. He pointed out that since the establishment of TRENDS, it has adopted a research project to analyse the secret economic structure of the Muslim Brotherhood, asserting that understanding its financial mechanisms is a fundamental step toward halting its ideological and organisational Al-Ali reviewed the findings of the first research seminar held by TRENDS in Abu Dhabi, which concluded that halting financial support represents a necessary starting point for protecting European societies from organisational and ideological penetration. He explained that the Paris symposium is an extension of that effort, adding a deeper European dimension through the participation of an elite group of specialists in security, economics, and intellectual discourse. Financial Exploitation Senator Nathalie Goulet expressed concern over the growing volume of funds allocated to Islamic studies in Europe, noting that these resources are being exploited to promote Islamism and sanitise its image. She emphasised that such exploitation poses a direct threat to efforts to combat extremism and undermines both local and international stability, calling for a reassessment of the research funding system related to political Islam. Themes The symposium, held in the form of a workshop, addressed several key themes. It focused on mapping the networks of the Muslim Brotherhood, identifying obstacles to halting funding, and outlining a proposed roadmap. The discussion also examined the financial structure of the Muslim Brotherhood, the patterns and dynamics of its financing in Europe, and the challenges of disrupting financial flows through Blockchain technologies. The symposium also explored lessons from the Arab experience, the importance of European–Arab cooperation, the roadmap, and the role of media and think tanks in countering extremist financing. Strategic Analysis Dr. Wael Saleh, Political Islam Affairs Advisor and Director of TRENDS' Office in Canada, moderated the workshop. During the first panel, he addressed a critical strategic topic: Financing Networks and the Challenges of Stemming Financial Flows in Light of Cross-Border Security and Hybrid his intervention, he emphasized the threat posed by the Muslim Brotherhood, noting its complex financial structure and remarkable adaptability. He argued that understanding its financing mechanisms is a prerequisite for formulating effective and comprehensive policies to counter the Saleh observed that the panel was notable for its intellectual and strategic depth. It offered an in-depth analytical perspective on the financing and infiltration of radical Islamist networks, particularly those affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. The panel also contributed to identifying preliminary outlines of practical responses to the complex challenges posed by this multidimensional phenomenon from legal, political, and security further emphasized the importance of building on these discussions to launch new collaborative initiatives involving European and Arab institutions, with a particular emphasis on specialized research centers and think tanks. Dr. Saleh concluded that effectively confronting radical ideologies and their transnational networks cannot be achieved through fragmented efforts. Instead, it requires adopting a unified vision, broad-based mobilization, and firm, sustained political will. Extremist Media and the Islamo-Wokism Alliance Under the dome of the French Senate, Olivier Vial, Director of the University Center for Studies and Research, spoke at the workshop and addressed the growing influence of media outlets affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. He noted that specific channels, such as Al Jazeera, promote the Brotherhood's agenda among immigrant youth and marginalized also warned of the emergence of an alliance between Islamist movements and specific Western social movements—an intersection sometimes referred to as 'Islamo-Wokeism'—which contributes to the entrenchment of extremist ideologies in European societies. Emirati ExperienceHis Excellency Dr. Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, delivered a presentation titled Lessons from the Arab Experience. In it, he highlighted the UAE's model for dismantling the Muslim Brotherhood and promoting a discourse of moderation and citizenship. He explained that Islam is a religion of love, mercy, and morality, rather than a political project or system of government. He further pointed out that violent movements have influenced the Muslim Brotherhood and have established secret organizations aimed at imposing change by force under the slogan of 'changing the abominable.' Financial Structure In an analytical working paper, Hamad Al Hosani, Researcher and Head of the Political Islam Studies Section at TRENDS, argued that the Muslim Brotherhood relies on a centralized and sustainable financial model based on individual subscriptions, donations, and economic networks operating across Europe, Canada, and Switzerland. He pointed out that the Brotherhood can adapt to legal restrictions by using unconventional financial tools to transfer funds, which poses growing security challenges for European stated that the Brotherhood's financial system has evolved since its founding phase, which was initially linked to the "Islamic Transactions" company. It has undergone several stages, ranging from internal financial support to efforts to dry up its funding sources following June 3, group relies on individual contributions for funding, including subscriptions, zakat, and donations, in addition to support from affiliated economic institutions and international organizational networks operating in countries such as the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, France, and Austria. Think Tanks In a joint intervention, researchers Shamsa Al Qubaisi and Shaikha Al Nuaimi from TRENDS explained that European reports—including the TE-SAT report issued by Europol—have tracked more than €140 million suspected of being used to finance stressed the importance of think tanks in monitoring FATF Grey List jurisdictions through advanced analytical tools such as artificial intelligence, developing legislative frameworks, and providing cognitive support to decision-makers. They stated that think tanks have a unique capacity to bridge the gap between governments, intelligence services, and academic researchers. As independent and flexible institutions, think tanks are well-positioned to conduct in-depth analyses that monitor 'gray' threats that fall outside the scope of traditional legal frameworks. These centers also contribute to developing regulatory frameworks, enhancing transparency in non-profit organizations, and employing advanced tools such as data analysis and artificial intelligence to detect suspicious financial patterns. Additionally, they play a vital role in raising public awareness and dismantling the mechanisms through which extremist ideologies are speakers emphasized that TRENDS constitutes a global model for exposing the financial networks of political Islam, particularly those affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood. Through studies such as The Economic Structure of the Brotherhood, TRENDS has revealed the complexity of these networks. Due to its multilingual output and international research presence, TRENDS has established a shared knowledge platform that fosters global cooperation and supports decision-makers in responding effectively to evolving threats. Comprehensive and Sustainable Cooperation The workshop concluded by emphasising the importance of building a European–Arab coalition across research, political, and media spheres to develop a shared understanding of the nature of extremist financing, cut off the financial roots of terrorism, and establish a unified strategy to combat the Muslim Brotherhood and its networks.
Al Etihad
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
Prospects for stopping the financing of extremist groups in Europe
29 June 2025 18:41 By Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali*Since its ouster from power in several Arab countries, the Muslim Brotherhood has faced a string of crises. Yet, it continues to operate in Europe, hiding under various names and receiving direct or indirect support. This persists despite the consensus on the need to counter the spread of extremist Islamist currents across societies, whether in the Middle East, Europe, or the entire world. In this context, TRENDS Research & Advisory, in cooperation with French Senator Nathalie Goulet, is organising a symposium at the French Senate titled "Stopping the Financing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe" to address the challenges involved and the mechanisms required to stop such Muslim Brotherhood has long exploited Europe's open and free environment to spread its ideology and manage extensive financial networks. This tactic is not new; it has been used for decades, starting with the establishment and control of Islamic centres across Europe, followed by deep infiltration into charitable and humanitarian organisations and other forms of civil society institutions. The group operates through multiple organisational structures, effectively diverting attention away from the true nature of these entities, many of which receive European funding without recognising that these organisations follow the Brotherhood's ideological design. These institutions often serve as arms of the Brotherhood, active around the world in promoting extremist ideologies, soliciting donations, and channelling them into activities that threaten national security and deepen radicalisation in situation is made worse by the fact that the Brotherhood, which has been designated as a terrorist group in several Arab countries and its original home of Egypt, still has representative branches in dozens of countries worldwide. Some branches operate openly, while others disguise themselves as charitable, civil society, or even human rights organisations. In recent years, Europe has become a safe haven for the Brotherhood. Its affiliated organisations and institutions continue to pursue their agendas across the continent through a vast and multifaceted network that includes investment portfolios, banking operations, civil society work, the halal trade, and offshore business some European governments have tried to target the group's activities and place restrictions on prominent and well-known members. However, firm, coordinated crackdown measures have not been taken, probably because of the close links that some leaders of the international organisation of the Muslim Brotherhood have in European countries. Nevertheless, a confrontation is inevitable, as the Brotherhood actively works to establish hotbeds of extremism wherever it goes. Strict oversight in Europe is necessary to expose the extent of its activities, as is rigorous monitoring of its funding sources and connections to global terrorist networks. Ultimately, this could pave the way for the Brotherhood to be designated as a terrorist organisation, rather than waiting until it succeeds in expanding ideological infiltration across Europe and triggering social unrest and clashes with state countries have already begun rethinking their position on the Brotherhood. Growing security concerns about the group's influence on European societies, its promotion of hate speech, separatist ideologies, and religious extremism have led to concrete action. Austria, for example, banned the Muslim Brotherhood under anti-terrorism laws, while France has been closely monitoring the group's activities and assessing its infiltration into social, political, and even governmental structures. However, the absence of a unified European stance on designating the Brotherhood as a terrorist group continues to provide it with loopholes, enabling it to shift operations from one country to another and interact, remotely, with communities that have rejected its presence, while using European platforms to propagate a discourse of extremism and the lack of coordinated European action, there is consensus regarding the risks posed by the Muslim Brotherhood's activities in Europe. There is an urgent need to confront ideological projects that aim to undermine the foundations of the modern state, especially given that groups like the Brotherhood exploit the margins of freedom of expression to gradually build influence, infiltrate political and local institutions, reshape societal cultures, and exert pressure on national structures, including the European Union itself. This is often done through a number of transnational European organisations that share the same intensive activity of Brotherhood-affiliated entities in Europe is aimed at influencing national policies. Some of these groups appear to have developed working relationships with figures in finance and politics. They operate through networks that undermine the integration of minority communities, fuel ethnic tensions, promote hatred, and maintain ties to global terrorist groups. Confronting the dangers of such activity requires an intellectual response to extremist ideologies, the promotion of values of tolerance and coexistence, and the strengthening of international cooperation, particularly between Europe and the Middle East. It is equally important to review the sources of financing and both direct and indirect support provided to civil society organisations to ensure that such resources do not fall into the hands of extremist groups like the Brotherhood, which could ultimately turn those resources against our societies in the form of radicalisation and Research & Advisory has played a leading role in combating extremist ideologies and Islamist movements, with a particular focus on the Muslim Brotherhood. The centre's efforts are dedicated to dismantling the narratives of terrorist thought, challenging anarchic doctrines, exposing doctrinal distortions, and countering radical methods of spreading extremism. Through a diverse range of publications, TRENDS explores various aspects of these groups across the Middle East, Europe, and the world and works with governments, decision-makers, and parliamentarians to lay the groundwork for effectively confronting the threat of extremist organisations in order to build societies based on peace, dialogue, and shared values. *The writer is the CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory
Al Etihad
28-06-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
TRENDS to hold France session on stopping Brotherhood funding in Europe, launch Paris virtual office
28 June 2025 10:39 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)TRENDS Research & Advisory is continuing to expand its international presence by launching a new virtual office in Paris, the French capital. The office aims to serve as a platform for intellectual exchange between the Arab and Francophone launch of the office coincides with the second session of the international symposium, held in the form of a workshop, and titled 'Toward Concerted Efforts to Stop the Financing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe: Challenges and Opportunities'. It will be held on Monday, June 30, 2025 in Salle Monory at the headquarters of the French Senator Nathalie Goulet and Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, will open the event. They will highlight the importance of Europe–Arab cooperation in addressing critical challenges related to the financing of extremist Wael Saleh, Political Islam Affairs Advisor and Director of TRENDS in Canada, and Senator Nathalie Goulet will moderate the workshop. It will address several topics, including the structure of financing networks, obstacles to halting financial flows, and a European road map for confronting the phenomenon.A panel of European and Arab experts and officials will participate in the session, including Laure Anas Renaud, representative of the French Financial Intelligence Unit; Dr. Khalifa Al Dhaheri, Director of the Mohammed bin Zayed University for the Humanities; Mr. Ali Faisal Ba'Alawi, Head of the UAE Financial Intelligence Unit and Representative of the Executive Office to Combat Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing; François Volpoet, Director of Chain Spy; Levi Vial, Director of the Centre for University Studies in France; Hamad Al Hosani, researcher and Head of the Political Islam Studies Section at TRENDS; as well as researchers Shamsa Al Qubaisi and Shaikha Al-Nuaimi.'The launch of our virtual office in Paris represents a pivotal strategic step toward strengthening intellectual and knowledge-based communication between the Arab world and the Francophone world,' Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research & Advisory, said.'We believe that this office will be a vital platform for exchanging ideas and visions on common global issues, especially those related to combating the financing of extremist groups,' he added, pointing out that this step comes in conjunction with holding the second session of our important international symposium on stopping the financing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Europe. The move confirms TRENDS' commitment to strengthening cooperation in confronting security and intellectual challenges. Dr. Muhammad Al-Ali emphasised that through this new presence, TRENDS aims to monitor and analyse French knowledge and production, convey visions of the Arab world to this vital space, and contribute to formulating effective policies for a safer and more stable future. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Al Etihad
03-05-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
ADIBF2025: TRENDS honours future researchers, launches new insights to enrich knowledge
3 May 2025 14:23 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)TRENDS Research & Advisory pavilion at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025 (ADIBF) witnessed intensive visits from officials, thinkers, and academics, who learned about the centre's publications and its various departments. On the seventh day of ADIBF 2025, the centre's pavilion continued its dynamic presence and activities, through its AI-enhanced pavilion in Hall 10, which bridges the past and the future and showcases around 350 research publications that span various fields of knowledge, offering analysis, insight, and global foresight. Future Researcher Awards The pavilion of TRENDS Research & Advisory, the Platinum Sponsor of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2025, hosted a special ceremony to honour the winners of the Future Researcher Awards. The competition was held under the theme "Empowering Young Minds to Lead Through Research" and targeted students from grades 1 to 12 with the aim of encouraging scientific inquiry, nurturing curiosity, and promoting youth contributions to a better students participated in the competition, presenting innovative research projects across various fields. A specialised jury evaluated the submissions based on rigorous criteria, and the winners were announced and honoured in a joyful ceremony held at the TRENDS pavilion. Training Programme Graduation TRENDS Research & Advisory also celebrated the graduation of a new cohort from the research training programme organised by the TRENDS International Training Institute. The graduates received certificates of appreciation for successfully completing the program, which aims to develop scientific research skills among youth and emerging researchers. Money for Terrorism TRENDS' pavilion at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair also witnessed the signing of two new publications. The first is "Money for Terrorism" by Senator Nathalie Goulet, a member of the French Senate and Vice Chairperson of the Law Committee. This updated and expanded edition offers an in-depth and comprehensive analysis of the various methods terrorist networks use to finance their explains that terrorist financing goes beyond illicit activities to include seemingly legal ones such as real estate purchases, online fundraising, financial investments, and even the acquisition of artworks. She stresses the urgent need to rigorously combat fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering in order to address this evolving and complex book serves as a key reference for understanding the mechanisms of terrorist financing and how to combat them effectively, especially given the growing sophistication of funding methods. It is worth noting that Nathalie Goulet was one of the first to warn of the dangers of jihadist financing; she called for a Senate inquiry committee on the issue six months before the Charlie Hebdo attacks and went on to co-chair it. Emirati Experience The second book is "The Emirati Experience: Roots and Development" by H.E. Ali Abdullah Mohammed Al-Ahmad, Assistant Undersecretary for Policy and Defense Communications at the Ministry of Defense (MoD). The book explores the key milestones of the UAE's journey across various fields. It offers a journey that begins with the founding of the state in 1971 and the adoption of the federal system, tracing the strategic challenge of the post-oil era, and culminating in the country's remarkable achievements in human development and its unique model of balancing heritage and modernity. The book further examines the soft power tools the UAE has developed, including most notably diplomacy, which enabled the country to play an influential regional and international role and position itself as a key global player. Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
Yemen Online
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yemen Online
Nathalie Goulet Signs 'Terrorism Money' in Abu Dhabi, as TRENDS Highlights the Importance of Exposing Extremist Funding Networks
Abu Dhabi – As part of the activities at the 2025 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, French Senator Nathalie Goulet signed her latest book, Terrorism Money, a comprehensive and well-documented reference that investigates and analyzes the financial mechanisms used by extremist groups—particularly the exploitation of the halal trade sector by political Islamist movements in France and Europe to fund radical and terrorist activities. The book, published in French ,English and Arabic was launched in collaboration with the TRENDS Research & Advisory Center, which hosted the signing event at its pavilion during the fair. The event was attended by researchers and experts in security and counter-extremism. In an exclusive statement, Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS, emphasized the value of such works: 'At TRENDS, we believe in the importance of shedding light on the financial dimensions of terrorism. Publications like this provide essential knowledge tools to understand and counter the sources of threat. Our support for this work aligns with our commitment to raising awareness and delivering rigorous research content that enhances regional and international counterterrorism efforts.' This initiative reflects the UAE's ongoing commitment to transparency and the fight against terrorism financing, especially in the context of its National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Strategy 2024–2027. The strategy aims to strengthen the country's legislative and institutional framework to address emerging challenges in this field. Senator Nathalie Goulet is known as one of France's most vocal figures in confronting extremism. She has handled sensitive national security and terrorism-related portfolios in the French Senate, giving her latest book a critical analytical and political weight within the broader European discourse on extremist financing.
