Muslim Brotherhood movement is in the headline again and why does France want strict action?

Muslim Brotherhood movement, which was founded in Egypt in 1928, is under strict scrutiny in France. In 2023, France banned pupils in public schools from wearing the abaya, a loose-fitting garment worn by Muslim women.

President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday ordered the government to draw up proposals to tackle the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood movement and the spread of political Islamism in France, as per a report.

The French presidency made the announcement after Macron chaired a security meeting to examine a report sounding the alarm about the Muslim Brotherhood and saying the movement poses "a threat to national cohesion" in France, the Elysee Palace said.

The Elysee Palace has said that some measures will be announced, while others will be classified.

The report zeroed in on the role of Muslims of France (Musulmans de France), which it identified as "the national branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in France." The Federation of Muslims of France denounced "unfounded accusations" and warned against "dangerous" conflation between Islam and radicalism.

Muslim Brotherhood Movement Hits Headlines

Conservative daily Le Figaro, which first published excerpts of the "shocking" report on Tuesday, said the Muslim Brotherhood "wants to introduce Sharia law in France".

The report said however that "no recent document demonstrates the desire of Muslims in France to establish an Islamic state in France or to enforce Sharia law there". But the threat was real, the authors said.

Jihadi Threat for France?

France and Germany have the biggest Muslim populations among European Union countries.

Authorities are eager to prevent any spread of extremist Islamist ideas in a country that has been rocked by a string of deadly jihadist attacks. Religious radicalisation has become a hot-button issue as the far-right is becoming increasingly popular in France, AFP reported.

Far-right leader Marine Le Pen accused the government of inaction, saying on X that she has long proposed measures to "eradicate Islamist fundamentalism". Jordan Bardella, the leader of her National Rally party, said on France Inter radio: "If we come to power tomorrow, we will ban the Muslim Brotherhood."

But critics have condemned what they call the rise of Islamophobia in France. "Islamophobia has crossed a line," hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon said on X.

FAQs

Q1. What is Muslim Brotherhood movement?
A1. Muslim Brotherhood movement was founded in Egypt in 1928.

Q2. Which countries have the biggest Muslim populations in Europe?
A2. France and Germany have the biggest Muslim populations among European Union countries.