France at a Crossroads: Why the Muslim Brotherhood Must Be Classified as a Terrorist Organisation

France today stands at a critical juncture in its struggle against extremist ideologies that undermine both security and social cohesion. At the centre of this debate is the Muslim Brotherhood, an organisation that presents itself as a civil society movement but has long been accused of spreading radical ideologies under the cover of religion and democracy. While not always overtly violent, the Brotherhood has provided intellectual and organisational foundations that have inspired terrorist movements across the world. Given the mounting evidence and the current political momentum, the case for France to designate the Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation has never been stronger.

The Brotherhood’s Ideological Role in Extremism

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, is often described as the ideological incubator of Islamist movements ranging from Al-Qaeda to ISIS. Its scholars, symbols and fatwas have helped legitimise jihadist narratives, even when the Brotherhood itself maintains a careful ambiguity about violence. French intelligence services have repeatedly highlighted how Brotherhood-affiliated associations in the country act as pipelines for radicalisation, encouraging isolation from mainstream society and undermining secular values.

The organisation also exploits democratic freedoms to entrench itself. By building networks of schools, associations and mosques, Brotherhood-linked groups gain legitimacy while promoting separatist discourses. At the same time, they weaponise the term Islamophobia to shield themselves from criticism, presenting any state oversight as an attack on religion rather than on politicised Islamism. This dual strategy allows the Brotherhood to thrive in liberal democracies while spreading ideas that erode them from within.

France’s Domestic Context

The French government has already taken incremental steps against Brotherhood-linked entities. In 2021, the anti-separatism law provided tools to monitor associations, oversee foreign funding and dissolve organisations undermining republican values. Since then, the state has dissolved Brotherhood-affiliated associations and, more recently, closed the European Institute of Human Sciences, an institution long suspected of being a Brotherhood training ground for imams.

A government-commissioned report in May 2025 described the Brotherhood as “a movement whose project runs counter to national cohesion” and directly identified organisations such as Musulmans de France as local branches of the network. President Emmanuel Macron subsequently called for the Defence Council to draw up measures specifically addressing the Brotherhood’s threat.

Public opinion is broadly supportive of tougher measures. After years of Islamist terrorist attacks — from the Charlie Hebdo massacre to the beheading of Samuel Paty — the French public remains acutely sensitive to extremist threats. A formal designation of the Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation would not only respond to security imperatives but also carry strong political backing.

European and International Alignment

France would not be acting in isolation. Austria already banned the Brotherhood and its symbols in 2021, setting a precedent inside the European Union. Beyond Europe, France’s closest regional partners — the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia — have all classified the Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation. A French move would align domestic policy with these allies, reinforcing diplomatic cooperation on counter-extremism.

Moreover, France has the opportunity to lead at the EU level. By designating the Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation, it could spearhead a continental debate that might culminate in an EU-wide ban. Such a step would close loopholes that Brotherhood networks exploit by operating across borders.

The Muslim Brotherhood poses a complex but undeniable threat to France’s national security, social cohesion and secular identity. Through its ideological influence, parallel institutions and political manipulation of religion, it has entrenched itself in ways that erode the foundations of French democracy.

France already has the legal frameworks, political momentum and public support to act. A terrorist designation of the Brotherhood would not only neutralise its domestic networks but also align France with international allies and strengthen European counter-extremism policy. Done with transparency and careful framing, this step would demonstrate that France remains resolute in defending both its secular republic and its Muslim citizens against the dangers of extremist ideology.