UAE's stance on the Brotherhood was always right
8 June 2025 17:12
By Imam Mohammad Tawhidi*
In recent weeks, global attention has once again turned to the threat of extremist ideologies following a French report published on May 22, exposing the Muslim Brotherhood's infiltration of public institutions and efforts to undermine national unity.This development reinforces the long-standing warnings of the United Arab Emirates, which has consistently highlighted the dangers posed by the Muslim Brotherhood and similar extremist movements across Europe and beyond.Four words from His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, captured global attention: "I told you so." His post on X (formerly Twitter) received over 7 million views and 100,000 engagements in just one week.To date, the accompanying video has amassed over 150 million views, continuing to gain traction each time it resurfaces. Elon Musk also promoted the video, remarking that His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed "knows what he's talking about," further amplifying recognition of the UAE's prescient stance.The video dates back to 2017, when His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed warned of the dangers of Western complacency toward extremist elements migrating from the Middle East to Europe. Speaking at the Tweeps forum, he cautioned that inaction and excessive political correctness could turn Western nations into "hotbeds of terrorism".He stressed that failure to act decisively, combined with misreading the Middle East and Islam, would let radical ideologies thrive: "There will come a day that we will see far more radical extremists and terrorists coming out of Europe because of the lack of decision-making, trying to be politically correct, or assuming that they know the Middle East and they know Islam and they know the others far better than we do," he warned. His insistence on delivering the warning in English - "No, I know you have translation, but I just want to make sure you get it right" - highlighted his determination to bridge the West's knowledge gap and confront the growing danger head-on.
France's Report Validates UAE's Stances Fast forward to May 2025, and the UAE's foresight has been powerfully vindicated. An official French report has raised serious concerns about the Muslim Brotherhood's activities in France and across Europe. As reported by Le Monde, POLITICO, and the BBC, the group is accused of "entryism" - infiltrating public institutions such as schools and local governments, posing a growing political risk.Compiled by senior French officials after research in 10 French regions and four European countries, the report warns that as the Brotherhood's influence declines in the Middle East and North Africa, it is redirecting its focus to Europe. The group is said to be adopting a "Western look" to conceal a "subversive fundamentalism", aiming to reshape European societies using Middle Eastern frameworks, which is exactly the type of strategy His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed warned about in 2017.
The UAE's Proactive LeadershipThe UAE's approach to countering extremism has been comprehensive, blending firm domestic action with international advocacy. In January 2025, the UAE blacklisted 11 individuals and eight UK-based organisations linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, imposing travel bans, asset freezes, and financial restrictions, according to WAM. This decisive move not only reinforced the UAE's zero-tolerance stance on extremism but also contributed to enhancing security in both the UK and the broader international community. In April 2025, Jordan imposed a sweeping ban on the Muslim Brotherhood, previously the country's largest extremist group. Citing security threats, Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya accused the group of plotting attacks and destabilising the kingdom. Authorities arrested 16 members linked to plans involving rockets, drones, explosives, and illegal weapons, with evidence of covert manufacturing sites and weapons stored in residential areas.The ban included shutting down all Brotherhood offices, confiscating assets, outlawing the group's activities, and banning its ideology. Jordan's move aligns with a growing list of countries, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Austria, that have banned the group due to its destabilising effects on society.The UAE's influence was noticeable during US President Trump's recent visit, which evidently influenced his administration's stance on the Muslim Brotherhood after witnessing the security and stability enjoyed by the UAE. This was reflected in recent campaigns led by the US administration against extremist voices, as well as in prominent calls from the US Senate, particularly from Senator Ted Cruz, to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organisation.The UAE, which took early action based on a deep understanding of regional dynamics, has once again been proven prescient. As both East and West confront the threat of radical ideologies, the UAE's firm and proactive stance continues to serve as a model for effective counter-extremism policy.
*The writer is a Parliamentary Advisor and Research Partner with TRENDS Research & Advisory
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