A confidential French government report warns that the Muslim Brotherhood movement poses a “threat to national cohesion” in France, citing its subtle spread of political Islamism, particularly
at the local level. The report, drafted by two senior civil servants, will be reviewed by the Defence Council on Wednesday and has already prompted calls for action from President Emmanuel Macron.
The document warns that although the threat is long-term and non-violent, it still endangers France’s secular foundations and democratic institutions. It describes how Islamism is advancing “from the bottom up,” with growing influence in local communities and municipal affairs. This localized spread has contributed to the creation of “Islamist ecosystems” that the report claims could shift local norms, particularly regarding secularism and gender equality.
The report emphasizes that the Brotherhood’s strategy is not overt aggression, but a “subtle yet subversive” challenge to French republican values. Despite concerns voiced by Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau over a push toward Sharia law, the authors clarify that no recent evidence suggests French Muslims aim to establish an Islamic state or impose religious law.
The Muslim Brotherhood’s French affiliate, Muslims of France (formerly the Union of Islamic Organisations of France), is cited as a key player. According to the report, 139 places of worship are affiliated with the group, with another 68 closely linked—amounting to about 7% of France’s 2,800 Muslim worship sites.
With the Brotherhood reportedly losing influence in the Arab world, the report suggests Europe has become its new focus. In response, it calls for long-term, grassroots efforts to counter political Islamism, including a public awareness campaign, support for secular values, and outreach to the Muslim community—such as expanding Arabic language instruction.
President Macron has requested that the government present new proposals in early June, reflecting the "seriousness of the facts" identified in the report. Photo by NorthTension, Wikimedia commons.