In Depth Reports
The Muslim Brotherhood has shifted its focus to Europe after setbacks in the Middle East, building a sophisticated network of civil, religious, and educational institutions to expand its influence. While presenting a moderate face, the group promotes a hidden ideological agenda that challenges European democratic values and social cohesion. Several terrorist attacks in Europe have been linked to individuals inspired by or connected to the Brotherhood. In response, countries like France and Germany have taken legal and administrative measures to dismantle Brotherhood-affiliated structures. Combating this threat requires stronger regulation, transparent funding, youth education, and pan-European cooperation to safeguard identity and democracy.
Introduction
Over the past decade, Europe has faced increasingly complex challenges to national security, social cohesion, and cultural identity. At the heart of these challenges lies the systematic and expanding infiltration of the Muslim Brotherhood, which not only threatens societal stability but also seeks to reshape the social and cultural fabric of European nations.
Founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood has expanded its reach to over 72 countries. Using a facade of moderate religious discourse, the organization has carefully constructed a long-term agenda of influence. Following its decline in the Middle East—particularly after the fall of its government in Egypt in 2013 and its designation as a terrorist organization in several countries—the Brotherhood shifted its strategic focus toward Europe.
This report offers a deep analysis of how the Brotherhood endangers European identity, their complex strategies of expansion, institutional penetration methods, documented ties to extremism and violence in the region, and the European responses aimed at countering this growing threat.
From Claimed Reformism to a Hub of Organized Extremism
While originally presenting itself as a reformist religious movement, the Brotherhood quickly evolved into a breeding ground for ideological extremism and violence. It leveraged Islamic symbols and rhetoric to expand its base and mobilize followers under the guise of representing “moderate Islam.”
However, its activities have been directly and indirectly linked to numerous extremist groups posing real threats to global security. The organization is controlled by a highly secretive and centralized international leadership and maintains a clandestine unit known as the “Special Apparatus” or “Secret Organization,” responsible for assassinations and internal purges in pursuit of absolute power.
Following political setbacks in Egypt and its blacklisting in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and elsewhere, the Brotherhood reoriented its operations toward Europe, where it found a more tolerant and legally permissive environment.
“The Brotherhood has mastered the art of institutional mimicry creating front organizations that mirror civic groups, while covertly pushing ideological agendas. This isn’t integration; it’s infiltration.”
— Dr. Lorenzo Vidino, Director of the Program on Extremism, George Washington University.
Complex Strategies for Deep Penetration into European Societies
The Brotherhood’s infiltration into key European countries including the UK, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands—has relied on a set of sophisticated and organized strategies:
- Civil and Religious Fronts:
The Brotherhood has established a vast network of NGOs, cultural centers, religious institutions, and mosques that act as legal fronts for their covert activities. These entities allow them to operate openly, evade direct prosecution, and disseminate their ideology while recruiting members. - Leadership Network Reconstruction:
European intelligence reports suggest the Brotherhood has rebuilt its organizational structure with a new generation of young leaders. These individuals skillfully utilize public relations, modern media, and social platforms to influence decision-making circles and form lobbying groups. - Monopolizing Muslim Representation:
The Brotherhood consistently positions itself as the sole legitimate representative of Muslim communities in Europe, gaining significant political and social leverage to influence policymakers and voter behavior. - “Quiet Polarization” Strategy Targeting Youth:
The group deploys a well-calculated strategy aimed at attracting young people, especially those grappling with identity crises or marginalization. By invoking human rights, anti-discrimination rhetoric, and freedoms, they push a covert agenda that often contradicts democratic values. - Cultural and Social Infiltration Case Study: France
The May 2025 French government report, titled “The Muslim Brotherhood and Political Islam in France”, commissioned by the Ministries of Interior, Foreign Affairs, and Defense, exposed widespread infiltration efforts through a network of organizations and individuals. The report revealed:- Control over 139 places of worship and 68 surrounding sites across 55 departments.
- Management of 280 associations in religious, charitable, and educational sectors.
- A strategic agenda to “re-Islamize” society, undermine secularism, and destabilize the republic through dual public-private messaging.
“We are not talking about a conventional religious group this is a highly organized transnational movement with a long-term strategy to reshape European Muslim identity in its image.”
— Gilles Kepel, Professor of Political Science and specialist in Middle Eastern and Islamic studies, Sciences Po, Paris.
European Front Organizations
Groups affiliated with the Brotherhood include:
- The Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe (FIOE), later rebranded as the Council of European Muslims (CEM).
- The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organizations (FEMYSO), active across Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, and other countries.
Ties Between the Brotherhood and Terrorist Attacks in Europe
Several deadly terrorist attacks have been directly or indirectly linked to individuals inspired by or affiliated with the Brotherhood or its offshoot extremist ideologies:
- Vienna Attack (Nov 2020): 4 people killed, 20 injured. The perpetrator had documented links to the Brotherhood and other extremist groups.
- Nice Church Attack (Oct 2020) and Bastille Day Attack (July 2016): Together claimed nearly 90 lives. Investigations highlighted ideological overlaps with Brotherhood-inspired doctrines.
Such ties have led European governments to intensify security and re-evaluate counter-extremism strategies.
Europe’s Response: Firm Measures and Integrated Plans
France
President Emmanuel Macron announced unprecedented actions targeting Islamist extremism, particularly Brotherhood-affiliated groups. These included:
- Freezing the assets of suspected organizations.
- Shutting down associations linked to radical preaching.
- Expanding “administrative dissolution” measures to dismantle suspect entities without lengthy court battles.
- Proposing a law to combat Islamic separatism aimed at cutting Brotherhood funding and curbing their influence.
European Union
At the EU level, a comprehensive action plan was adopted to:
- Closely monitor suspicious activity.
- Trace illicit funding streams.
- Strengthen legislation to tackle violent extremism and money laundering.
- Enhance intelligence-sharing mechanisms among member states.
Conclusion: Defending Europe’s Identity from Organized Extremism
Europe faces an existential challenge as the Muslim Brotherhood deepens its influence through strategic, institutionalized, and ideologically driven infiltration. While law enforcement and legal actions are vital, the complexity of this challenge demands a multifaceted response.
Safeguarding European identity requires a long-term vision:
Promoting cultural dialogue and inclusive integration.
Designing educational programs to inoculate youth against ideological manipulation.
Exposing extremist agendas and offering credible alternatives grounded in democratic citizenship and pluralism.
The future of European societies hinges on their ability to counter such ideological threats with wisdom, resilience, and proactive policymaking.fend themselves without compromising their core freedoms. To do that, Europe must act with clarity, unity, and strategic foresight — before the ideological fault lines become too deep to mend.