President Emmanuel Macron has called a meeting with senior ministers to discuss a state-commissioned report accusing the Muslim Brotherhood of covertly attempting to undermine French secularism.
The report says that the jihadist movement, through local proxies, has been spreading “political Islam,” a development it views as a threat to social cohesion in the country.
The findings highlight concerns about a gradual, long-term effort to influence French institutions. The report stresses that the Muslim Brotherhood’s actions, though not violent yet, pose a significant risk to the integrity of French society and its republican values.
In response to growing far-right criticism, Macron has pursued policies targeting “Islamist separatism,” focusing on reducing foreign influence over Muslim organizations and institutions in France. Presidential advisers indicate that Macron aims to address what they consider a strategic effort by Islamists to infiltrate state structures.
The report specifically mentions the Musulmans de France association, which it describes as the “national branch” of the Muslim Brotherhood. However, the shady association denies any such affiliation, with its leadership refuting the claims as baseless.
Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau emphasized that the Brotherhood’s ultimate goal is to push French society towards Sharia law, a sentiment echoed by others in the government.
Macron has denied stigmatising the Muslim community, stating that Islam has a place in French society, but civil rights organizations warn that the government’s actions are increasingly restricting religious freedom.
The French Muslim population, which exceeds 6 million, remains deeply divided over the issue, with many concerned about the impact of these policies on their rights and identity.