French ‘Muslim Brotherhood report’ promotes Islamophobic tropes and conspiracy theories

Paris - A presidential report alleging the infiltration of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in France was released last Wednesday (21 May) and discussed at the highest levels of government, including within the Defense Council.

The report, commissioned last year by President Emmanuel Macron and former Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin, does little more than promote Islamophobic tropes and conspiracy theories — including that the MB is orchestrating a covert campaign to seize power in France. It lacks credible basis, and is absent of any scientific and academic rigour.

The report’s purpose is clearly the manufacture of yet another moral panic among the public regarding Islam and Muslims.

It casts suspicion on legitimate Muslim institutions and individuals. This in turn legitimises the repression of Muslim civil society at large under the pretext of ‘protecting national cohesion’.

The report could pave the way for yet another piece of Islamophobic legislation aimed at criminalising Islam and Muslims in France. 

Rayan Freschi, researcher for CAGE International, said: 

“As we’ve observed since the inception of the global War on Terror, commissioned reports based on false expertise are the first institutional step the French state adopts before passing new Islamophobic laws. 

While Muslims are still grieving the murder of Aboubakar Cissé and bear witness to the daily horror of a live-streamed genocide in Gaza, the state fuels Islamophobic narratives that risk inspiring similar acts of violence.”

CAGE International calls on policymakers, journalists, and civil society to actively campaign against any legislative measures that would further single out Muslims in France.