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Middle East Eye
3 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Islamist ‘entryism': French Muslims refuse to be labelled ‘enemies' within
There was no surprise - only dismay and frustration - among French Muslims following the publication last week of a government report highlighting the alleged influence of the Muslim Brotherhood and political Islamism in France. Commissioned last year to 'clarify the threat posed by Islamist infiltration to security and national cohesion,' the document aims to raise awareness about so-called Islamist entryism. This is "considered a separatist mode of action" that "is characterised by involvement in local life to access positions of influence and power that enable the obtaining of amendments to existing laws". On 21 May, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a Defence Council meeting to discuss the report and asked the government to formulate proposals in light of the "seriousness of the facts". For many Muslims in France, this was just another worrying step in the stigmatisation of their community. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters "After accusing us of separatism, now we are suspected of plotting to seize power,' Salwa Hamiti, a former sports coach at a community centre near Paris, told Middle East Eye. 'How far will this demonisation go, turning us into enemies to be defeated?' The 34-year-old Muslim woman became a target the moment she decided to cover her head two years ago. 'My manager didn't appreciate seeing me arrive one morning wearing a turban,' she said. 'He immediately took me aside to ask me to remove it. According to him, not only was I breaking the laicite law, but I risked influencing the young girls I was training, most of whom were of Muslim origin,' said Hamiti, who eventually resigned. 'After accusing us of separatism, now we are suspected of plotting to seize power. How far will this demonisation go?' - Salwa Hamiti, a former sports coach In France, "laicite" is a form of secularism defined as the separation between the state and religious institutions, which imposes an obligation of neutrality on the state. In 2004, the country legislated to prohibit the wearing of religious symbols or clothing in state schools, and earlier this year, the Senate adopted a similar law - that still needs to be discussed by the lower house of parliament - during all sports competitions. Today, although Hamiti has found a job as a saleswoman in a 'Muslim-friendly' store, the former coach still cannot believe she was accused of proselytising. "A kippah or a cross are fine, but not the veil, the qamis [tunic] and the beard, that are used today as a pretext for the right and the far right to fuel fear and hatred of French Muslims," she said. 'Fifth column' The report on the Muslim Brotherhood's influence in France unveiled last week highlights primarily alleged lobbying and networking practices. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau denounced the "threat" posed by the "entryism" of the Muslim Brotherhood, whose goal, according to him, is "to push all of French society into Sharia law." For lawyer Sefen Guez Guez, this is "utterly false." And by promoting such a discourse, the authorities validate conspiracy theories about Islam, he told MEE. French president asks for measures to combat Muslim Brotherhood 'entryism' Read More » "These theories suggest that there are organisations whose goal is to destabilise the nation, while we are all witnessing a rise in Islamophobia in France," he said. According to the National Directorate of Territorial Intelligence, anti-Muslim acts have increased by 72 percent when compared to the same period last year. Dramatic as this rise is, representatives of the Muslim community believe these figures do not show the full extent of the problem as victims do not always file complaints. Guez Guez considers that "the state contributes to amplifying Islamophobia by suggesting that Muslims represent a danger and constitute a kind of fifth column, especially if they organise and succeed". "Personally, I am convinced that it is the success of the Muslim community in this country that is disturbing," he added. In recent years, the lawyer has defended several cases involving Muslim organisations targeted by banning procedures - such as the Collective Against Islamophobia in France (CCIF), dissolved in 2020 - as well as the closure of mosques and private Muslim schools. All these entities have been accused of colluding with Islamist circles and propagating their ideas. This is the case of the Averroes Muslim high school, a high-quality establishment located in the northern city of Lille, whose legal team has just obtained, on appeal, the reinstatement of public subsidies after more than a year of legal battles. '[There is] a clear desire on the part of the state to dismantle any possibility for the Muslim community to build an elite that is professionally successful and at the same time asserts its Islamic identity' - Sefen Guez Guez, lawyer In Lyon, in eastern central France, the fate of the Al Kindi high school, also renowned for the excellence of its results, is still in the hands of the courts. Last January, the local prefecture decided to terminate its contract with the state on the grounds that it "carries out a project contrary to the values of the Republic". "In court, the director of legal affairs at the interior ministry, who came to defend the case on behalf of the prefecture, said that Al Kindi's real problem was that it was training an elite that would one day be in power,' Guez Guez reported. The lawyer denounced: 'A clear desire on the part of the state to dismantle any possibility for the Muslim community to build an elite that is professionally successful and at the same time asserts its Islamic identity.' A year and a half after the promulgation of the so-called 'separatism' law in 2021 - which its detractors say discriminates against Muslims - 3,000 inspections have been carried out in Muslim establishments. As a result, 187 were closed, including seven mosques and 11 schools. After Averroes and Al Kindi, Ibn Khaldoun, a school located in Marseille, is now threatened with closure. The right-wing presidents of the region and department have just withdrawn public funding because, according to them, the establishment is part of the "Muslim Brotherhood ecosystem". "We must expect similar decisions to multiply following the publication of the report," Guez Guez warned. 'A culture of suspicion' This is also the fear of Christian Di Meglio, president of Sete Olympique, an amateur soccer club near the southern city of Montpellier that was stripped of its license a year ago for emblazoning its players' jerseys with a star and a crescent, two emblematic symbols of Islam. The club has been accused of 'communautarist' practices and 'separatism'. 'Down with the veil': Muslim athletes outraged by French bill to ban hijab in sports Read More » "Our logo had never caused any problems since the club's creation in 2016, but with the rise of the far right, we became a target,' he told MEE. Out of a total of "280 associations affiliated with the movement in a multitude of sectors that affect Muslim life', the government's report on the Muslim Brotherhood mentions 127 sports associations listed in 2020 as "having a relationship with a separatist movement". "When players pray in the locker room, they are Islamists, but when a footballer makes the sign of the cross upon entering the pitch, it doesn't bother anyone," Di Meglio said, protesting against "the development of a culture of suspicion that exclusively targets Muslims." The rector of the Grand Mosque of Lyon, Kamel Kabtane, calls it "a presumption of guilt towards Muslims." "When a Defence Council is convened, it's because the situation is serious, because there is an internal enemy, and they cite it: Islam and Islamism," Kabtane told MEE. The government report released this month claims that two mosques in Lyon and around 50 associations in the region are Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated. 'Should we consider that 400 people [...] could subvert republican institutions or even Islamise society? It's not credible' - Franck Fregosi, a researcher at the National Centre for Scientific Research The rector denies this, and denounces a very anxiety-inducing climate for Muslims in the country, which reminds him of "the way Jews were treated since 1933". "They are currently scrutinising the ways we dress, behave, and so on,' Kabtane said. Other Islamic organisations, such as the Grand Mosque of Paris and the French Council of the Muslim Faith, are concerned about the stigmatisation of Muslims in the name of the fight against Islamism. The Grand Mosque of Paris has denounced in a press release "the construction of a Muslim problem and the insidious development of an increasingly uninhibited discriminatory discourse" whose aim is to 'serve particular political agendas". Politically-motivated For Franck Fregosi, a researcher at the National Centre for Scientific Research and a specialist in Islam in France, the report serves in particular the interior minister, "whose presidential ambitions are well known". The academic, who was interviewed by the report's authors, was surprised to discover conclusions that according to him exaggerate the influence and the threat of the Muslim Brotherhood in France. "I admit I don't understand the nature of this threat. Should we consider that 400 people, who constitute the centre of the Brotherhood [according to the report], could subvert republican institutions or even Islamise society? It's not credible," he told MEE. Fregosi points out that Musulmans de France (Muslims of France), a group the report identifies as "the national branch of the Muslim Brotherhood" in the country, is actually losing ground. 'The content of this report serves to scare public opinion and then provide [the government] with the means to act with racist laws against Muslims without the French people being upset' - Kamel Kabtane, rector of the Grand Mosque of Lyon Fregosi sees the focus on the Muslim Brotherhood as a pretext to call out Muslim urban visibility, which is intolerable in the eyes of right and far-right supporters. What's more, the researcher worries that the report will be a pretext to develop new, more restrictive laws against Muslims. The fear is shared by the rector of the Grand Mosque of Lyon. "The content of this report serves to scare public opinion and then provide [the government] with the means to act with racist laws against Muslims without the French people being upset," Kabtane said. Some political leaders are already making proposals. Gabriel Attal, former prime minister and president of the presidential party, Renaissance, wants to ban the hijab for girls under 15. Meanwhile, the interior minister wants the issue of the Muslim Brotherhood 'entryism' to be addressed in the same way as terrorism, including by increasing field controls of Muslim businesses, mosques and associations and facilitating administrative obstruction measures.
Middle East Eye
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
French president asks for measures to combat Muslim Brotherhood 'threat'
French President Emmanuel Macron has asked the government to formulate "new proposals" in light of the "seriousness of the facts" mentioned in a declassified report on the supposed gradual infiltration of the Muslim Brotherhood in France. Commissioned last year by then interior minister, Gerald Darmanin, the confidential 73-page document, revealed on Tuesday, warns of a "threat to national cohesion" with the development of Islamism "from below". It estimates that 139 mosques or places of worship are affiliated with Musulmans de France (Muslims of France), a group identified as "the national branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in France", and lists "280 associations affiliated with the movement". The report asserts that the educational sector is one of the Muslim Brotherhood's preferred targets, with "21 establishments identified as linked to the 'Brotherhood' movement" as of September 2023. "The reality of this threat, even if it is based on a long-term horizon and does not involve violent action, poses the risk of harming the associative fabric and republican institutions [...] and, more broadly, national cohesion," the report states. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Its authors highlight the "subversive nature of the project promoted by the Muslim Brotherhood," which aims "to work over the long term to gradually obtain changes to local or national rules," particularly those concerning secularism and gender equality. The report stresses on the existence of a Muslim Brotherhood "risk" in France, where Muslims increasingly have a "feeling of 'Islamophobia,' which is tending to become a belief in 'state-sponsored Islamophobia''. 'Down with the veil': Muslim athletes outraged by French bill to ban hijab in sports Read More » On Wednesday, Macron convened a Defence Council meeting to discuss the report, flanked by his key ministers. The Elysee made a statement vowing to combat the "threat" of the Muslim Brotherhood's 'entryism', which it defined as a "bottom-up" effort consisting of "using concealment to conquer power structures, replace the rules of social life and implement the rules of Sharia law". The council also addressed the issue of social media, which "constitutes a vector for Islamists who exploit current events and challenge what the Republic stands for in terms of secularism, particularly to try to demonstrate that the state is Islamophobic." As a sign of disagreements at the highest level, the Defence Council issued no measure as previously announced. "Given the importance of the issue and the seriousness of the established facts, [the president] asked the government to formulate new proposals, which will be examined at a future Defence Council meeting in early June," a statement read. The presidency also promised to release a detailed report "by the end of the week," a rare statement for a Defence Council. 'Permanent suspicion' The report has sparked fierce criticism within the Muslim community, starting with the incriminated Musulmans de France, which denounced "unfounded accusations". "We firmly reject any allegation that would attempt to associate us with a foreign political project or an entryist strategy," the group said. "Conflations, even involuntary, between Islam, political Islamism and radicalism are not only dangerous, but counterproductive for the Republic itself." French Muslims find 'Islamophobic' violence is overlooked after mosque murder Read More » "Behind these unfounded accusations, a stigmatisation of Islam and Muslims is emerging." Likewise, the rector of the Grand Mosque of Paris, Chems-eddine Hafiz, on Thursday said the mosque "has always defended a vision of Islam compatible with the letter and spirit of the principles of the Republic," and "always refused to allow Islam to be misused for political ends aimed at fracturing the national community". But, he added, "it also refuses to allow the legitimate fight against Islamism to become a pretext to stigmatise Muslims and serve particular political agendas," deploring "the construction of a Muslim problem and the insidious development of an increasingly unashamed discriminatory rhetoric." The French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM), a former representative body for Islam, also expressed its "deep concern about possible abuses and instrumentalisations". The CFCM highlighted its fight against Islamist extremism, however, it stressed that "the absence of clear definitions of the concepts" used in the report "maintains harmful confusion". "Many Muslim citizens today feel they are no longer immune to permanent suspicion," it added. Muslim blogger Al Kanz denounced on X a "conspiratorial outburst" that "endangers not only overt Muslims but all those who can be assimilated to them". 'Delusional theories' The report was also criticised by the left-wing France Unbowed (LFI) party. Its leader, Jean-Luc Melenchon, said on X that "Islamophobia had crossed a threshold". 'Behind these unfounded accusations, a stigmatisation of Islam and Muslims is emerging' - Musulmans de France "A Defence Council around the president accredits the delusional theories of [Interior Minister Bruno] Retailleau and [far-right leader Marine] Le Pen," he said, adding that Macron would "destroy our country". "This kind of method has already been applied in the past, first against Protestants and Jews," Melenchon said, warning that the government's action "leads directly to an unleashing of cruel inquisitions against individuals [and is] disastrous for the unity of the country". The methodology used for drafting the report has also raised questions. According to Mediapart, one of the people interviewed by the rapporteurs indicated that they "clearly felt that it was a political commission, the conclusions of which had practically been written in advance by the government". Recognised specialists on the subject such as researchers Vincent Geisser and Margot Dazey also refused to be interviewed by the rapporteurs, the outlet said. Proposal to ban hijab in public for under 15 The issue of the so-called "Muslim Brotherhood entryism" in France has been the focus of attention in parts of the French political and media scene for months. Evoking a "shocking" document that details how "France [is] increasingly corrupted" by a "sprawling networks, [a] secret organisation [and] Islamised neighbourhoods," right-wing media outlets have multiplied the articles on the much-heralded report, the publication of which has been announced for over a year. Several voices have denounced the political exploitation of the issue, starting by the current right-wing interior minister. Retailleau, known for his uncompromising stance against immigration, has made it his hobby horse, promising for weeks to reveal the declassified report, which he deemed "damning" and a testament that an "insidious' and 'combative' Islamism aims to "slide all of French society into sharia law". In recent days, the issue has been the subject of a flurry of political proposals. France: Muslim private schools under threat of closure Read More » Right-wing politician Xavier Bertrand called for "a republican offensive" because we "must be uncompromising with the enemies of the Republic, the Islamists," while the president of the far-right National Rally party Jordan Bardella called for "the Muslim Brotherhood to be banned" and for "all its supporters to be combated administratively". The idea that generated the most reaction came from Renaissance, Macron's centre-right party, whose secretary general, former prime minister Gabriel Attal, initiated the ban on wearing the abaya, a loose traditional dress covering the arms and legs, in schools in 2023. On Tuesday, Le Parisien revealed that Attal planned to propose a series of measures including a "law against Islamist entryism" and banning the hijab in public spaces for minors under the age of 15, as the report expresses concern about a "massive and visible increase in the number of little girls wearing the veil". The proposal, whose constitutionality could be called into question, has drawn criticism even from within his party. For a decade, successive French governments have vowed to combat the supposed influence of political Islam in the country. Several measures have been taken in this regard, such as the dissolution of the Collective Against Islamophobia in France (CCIF), the termination of the contract with the Averroes Muslim high school, and the withdrawal of subsidies received by sports or cultural associations considered to be infiltrated by the Muslim Brotherhood. In 2020, former interior minister Darmanin even accused footballer Karim Benzema of having "notorious links" with the movement. In 2021, France adopted a controversial law pushed forward by Macron to combat 'separatism' and fight the phenomena described in the report. The legislation has been accused by its detractors of being discriminatory against Muslims by broadening the grounds for closing mosques and dissolving community organisations, restricting home schooling and introducing an offence of "separatism" punishable by up to five years in prison. Pending the measures announced by Macron on Wednesday, French Minister for Europe Benjamin Haddad already announced on Monday that he would ask Brussels to "strengthen controls" on European funding to ensure it does not go to actors "linked to antisemitism or Islamism".
Kuwait Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
France mulls proposal banning hijab for minors in public places
PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron's political party wants to ban minors under 15 from wearing the hijab in public. Macron also ordered the government to draw up proposals to tackle the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood movement and the spread of political Islamism in France, the Elysee said. The French presidency made the announcement after Macron chaired a security meeting to examine a report sounding the alarm about the Muslim Brotherhood and saying the movement poses "a threat to national cohesion" in France. "Given the importance of the subject and the seriousness of the facts established, he has asked the government to draw up new proposals that will be examined at a forthcoming Defence Council meeting in early June," the Elysee Palace said. In a rare move, Macron has also decided to make the report public by the end of the week. AFP obtained a copy of the report on Tuesday. The Elysee Palace has said that some measures will be announced, while others will be classified. The report into the movement, which was founded in Egypt in 1928, was commissioned by the government and prepared by two senior civil servants. It "clearly establishes the anti-republican and subversive nature of the Muslim Brotherhood" and "proposes ways to address this threat", the presidency said ahead of the meeting. France and Germany have the biggest Muslim populations among European Union countries. Authorities are eager to prevent any spread of extremist Islamist ideas in a country that has been rocked by a string of deadly jihadist attacks. Religious radicalization has become a hot-button issue as the far-right is becoming increasingly popular in France. The hijab ban proposed by the Renaissance party would forbid "minors under 15 from wearing the veil in public spaces," phrasing that in France generally means places outside the home like the street, cafes, parks and stores. It added the hijab "seriously undermines gender equality and the protection of children". The party, led by former prime minister Gabriel Attal, also wants to introduce a "criminal offence for coercion against parents who force their underage daughters to wear the veil". Rise of Islamophobia The report sparked heated reactions. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen accused the government of inaction, saying on X that she has long proposed measures to "eradicate Islamist fundamentalism". Jordan Bardella, the leader of her National Rally party, said on France Inter radio: "If we come to power tomorrow, we will ban the Muslim Brotherhood." But critics have condemned what they call the rise of Islamophobia in France. "Islamophobia has crossed a line," hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon said on X. He accused officials of endorsing "the delusional theories" of Le Pen and France's hardline Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau. The report pointed to the spread of Islamism "from the bottom up", adding the phenomenon constituted "a threat in the short to medium term". At the same time, the presidency stressed, "we are all perfectly aligned in saying that we must not lump all Muslims together". "We are fighting against Islamism and its radical excesses." The report zeroed in on the role of Muslims of France (Musulmans de France), which it identified as "the national branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in France." The Federation of Muslims of France denounced "unfounded accusations" and warned against "dangerous" conflation between Islam and radicalism. "We firmly reject any allegation that attempts to associate us with a foreign political project or an 'entryism' strategy," said Muslims of France, warning against "a stigmatization of Islam and Muslims." The "constant accusation shapes minds, fuels fears and, sadly, contributes to violent acts," it added, pointing to the death of Aboubakar Cisse, a 22-year-old Malian who was stabbed dozens of times while praying in a mosque in southern France. — AFP
Al-Ahram Weekly
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Macron urges action on Muslim Brotherhood movement - International
President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday ordered the government to draw up proposals to tackle the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood movement and the spread of political Islamism in France, the Elysee said. Related Jordan bans Muslim Brotherhood group and closes its offices The French presidency announced that after Macron chaired a security meeting to examine a report sounding the alarm about the Muslim Brotherhood and saying the movement poses "a threat to national cohesion" in France. "Given the importance of the subject and the seriousness of the facts established, he has asked the government to draw up new proposals that will be examined at a forthcoming Defence Council meeting in early June," the Elysee Palace said. In a rare move, Macron has also decided to make the report public by the end of the week. AFP obtained a copy of the report on Tuesday. The Elysee Palace has said that some measures will be announced, while others will be classified. The report into the movement, which was founded in Egypt in 1928, was commissioned by the government and prepared by two senior civil servants. It "clearly establishes the anti-republican and subversive nature of the Muslim Brotherhood" and "proposes ways to address this threat", the presidency said ahead of the meeting. France and Germany have the biggest Muslim populations among European Union countries. Authorities are eager to prevent any spread of extremist Islamist ideas in a country that has been rocked by a string of deadly jihadist attacks. Religious radicalisation has become a hot-button issue as the far-right is becoming increasingly popular in France. The report sparked heated reactions. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen accused the government of inaction, saying on X that she has long proposed measures to "eradicate Islamist fundamentalism". Jordan Bardella, the leader of her National Rally party, said on France Inter radio: "If we come to power tomorrow, we will ban the Muslim Brotherhood." But critics have condemned what they call the rise of Islamophobia in France. "Islamophobia has crossed a line," hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon said on X. He accused officials of endorsing "the delusional theories" of Le Pen and France's hardline Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau. The report pointed to the spread of Islamism "from the bottom up", adding the phenomenon constituted "a threat in the short to medium term". At the same time, the presidency stressed, "We are all perfectly aligned in saying that we must not lump all Muslims together". "We are fighting against Islamism and its radical excesses." The report zeroed in on the role of Muslims of France (Musulmans de France), which it identified as "the national branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in France." 'Subtle but subversive aim' The Federation of Muslims of France denounced "unfounded accusations" and warned against "dangerous" conflation between Islam and radicalism. "We firmly reject any allegation that attempts to associate us with a foreign political project or an 'entryism' strategy," said Muslims of France, warning against "a stigmatisation of Islam and Muslims." The "constant accusation shapes minds, fuels fears and, sadly, contributes to violent acts," it added, pointing to the death of Aboubakar Cisse, a 22-year-old Malian who was stabbed dozens of times while praying in a mosque in southern France. Conservative daily Le Figaro, which first published excerpts of the "shocking" report on Tuesday, said the Muslim Brotherhood "wants to introduce Sharia law in France". The report said, however, that "no recent document demonstrates the desire of Muslims in France to establish an Islamic state in France or to enforce Sharia law there". But the threat was real, the authors said. "We are not dealing with aggressive separatism," but a "subtle... yet no less subversive aim for the institutions." Macron's party proposed banning minors under 15 from wearing the Muslim headscarf in public spaces, saying the hijab "seriously undermines gender equality and the protection of children". The party also wants to introduce a "criminal offence for coercion against parents who force their underage daughters to wear the veil". In 2023, France banned pupils in public schools from wearing the abaya, a loose-fitting garment worn by Muslim women. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Macron urges action on Muslim Brotherhood movement
President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday ordered the government to draw up proposals to tackle the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood movement and the spread of political Islamism in France, the Elysee said. The French presidency made the announcement after Macron chaired a security meeting to examine a report sounding the alarm about the Muslim Brotherhood and saying the movement poses "a threat to national cohesion" in France. "Given the importance of the subject and the seriousness of the facts established, he has asked the government to draw up new proposals that will be examined at a forthcoming Defence Council meeting in early June," the Elysee Palace said. In a rare move, Macron has also decided to make the report public by the end of the week. AFP obtained a copy of the report on Tuesday. The Elysee Palace has said that some measures will be announced, while others will be classified. The report into the movement, which was founded in Egypt in 1928, was commissioned by the government and prepared by two senior civil servants. It "clearly establishes the anti-republican and subversive nature of the Muslim Brotherhood" and "proposes ways to address this threat", the presidency said ahead of the meeting. France and Germany have the biggest Muslim populations among European Union countries. Authorities are eager to prevent any spread of extremist Islamist ideas in a country that has been rocked by a string of deadly jihadist attacks. Religious radicalisation has become a hot-button issue as the far-right is becoming increasingly popular in France. The report sparked heated reactions. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen accused the government of inaction, saying on X that she has long proposed measures to "eradicate Islamist fundamentalism". Jordan Bardella, the leader of her National Rally party, said on France Inter radio: "If we come to power tomorrow, we will ban the Muslim Brotherhood." But critics have condemned what they call the rise of Islamophobia in France. "Islamophobia has crossed a line," hard-left firebrand Jean-Luc Melenchon said on X. He accused officials of endorsing "the delusional theories" of Le Pen and France's hardline Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau. The report pointed to the spread of Islamism "from the bottom up", adding the phenomenon constituted "a threat in the short to medium term". At the same time, the presidency stressed, "we are all perfectly aligned in saying that we must not lump all Muslims together". "We are fighting against Islamism and its radical excesses." The report zeroed in on the role of Muslims of France (Musulmans de France), which it identified as "the national branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in France." - 'Subtle but subversive aim' - The Federation of Muslims of France denounced "unfounded accusations" and warned against "dangerous" conflation between Islam and radicalism. "We firmly reject any allegation that attempts to associate us with a foreign political project or an 'entryism' strategy," said Muslims of France, warning against "a stigmatisation of Islam and Muslims." The "constant accusation shapes minds, fuels fears and, sadly, contributes to violent acts," it added, pointing to the death of Aboubakar Cisse, a 22-year-old Malian who was stabbed dozens of times while praying in a mosque in southern France. Conservative daily Le Figaro, which first published excerpts of the "shocking" report on Tuesday, said the Muslim Brotherhood "wants to introduce Sharia law in France". The report said however that "no recent document demonstrates the desire of Muslims in France to establish an Islamic state in France or to enforce Sharia law there". But the threat was real, the authors said. "We are not dealing with aggressive separatism" but a "subtle... yet no less subversive aim for the institutions." Macron's party proposed banning minors under 15 from wearing the Muslim headscarf in public spaces, saying the hijab "seriously undermines gender equality and the protection of children". The party also wants to introduce a "criminal offence for coercion against parents who force their underage daughters to wear the veil". In 2023, France banned pupils in public schools from wearing the abaya, a loose-fitting garment worn by Muslim women. cg-grd-mep-vl-as/phz
