A report to be presented to French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday, May 21, warns that the Muslim Brotherhood movement poses a “threat to national cohesion” in France and calls for action to curb the spread of “political Islamism.” The report, a copy of which was obtained by Agence France-Presse (AFP), states that while the threat may be long-term and non-violent, it risks damaging the fabric of society, republican institutions, and national unity. The report, prepared by two senior civil servants, will be examined by the Defense Council on Wednesday.
The report highlights the spread of Islamism “from the bottom up” and at the municipal level, posing a “short to medium term” threat. It notes that in France, the movement has a solid structure, with political Islamism primarily spreading at the local level. The authors emphasize the need for “resolute and long-term action on the ground” to stem the rise of political Islamism.
The report points to the “subversive nature of the project,” which aims to gradually alter local or national rules, particularly those concerning secularism and gender equality. This “municipal Islamism” risks affecting the public sphere and local politics through the creation of “increasingly numerous Islamist ecosystems”.
While France’s Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau expressed concern about “a low-level Islamism” aiming to impose Sharia law on French society, the report’s authors state that there is no recent evidence of Muslims in France seeking to establish an Islamic state or enforce Sharia law.
Musulmans de France (“Muslims in France”), formerly the Union of Islamic Organizations of France, is identified as “the national branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in France.” The report characterizes the threat as “subtle” and “no less subversive,” rather than “aggressive separatism”.
The report estimates that 7% of the 2,800 Muslim places of worship in France (139 places of worship, with an additional 68 considered close) are affiliated with Muslims of France. It also suggests that the Islamist movement is losing influence in the Arab world and focusing its efforts on Europe. The report recommends a public awareness campaign combined with efforts to promote a “secular discourse” and “strong and positive signals to the Muslim community,” including the teaching of Arabic.
About The Author
