Macron Convenes Ministers as Report Accuses Muslim Brotherhood of Undermining French Secularism

Macron Convenes Ministers as Report Accuses Muslim Brotherhood of Undermining French Secularism

By Aaron Joyce | L.T.T Media | May 21, 2025

Paris, France – French President Emmanuel Macron has convened a high-level ministerial meeting following the release of a controversial state-commissioned report accusing the Muslim Brotherhood of orchestrating a covert campaign to erode France’s secular foundations.

The confidential report, prepared by the country's internal intelligence services and key academic experts, outlines what it calls a “strategic and methodical effort” by the Islamist group to gain influence in local communities and institutions, particularly through educational, cultural, and religious associations.

According to the findings, the Muslim Brotherhood’s ideology is allegedly being propagated through various grassroots organizations and civic entities—what the report describes as “local proxies”—with the ultimate goal of creating parallel structures that challenge the French Republic’s secular identity, known as laïcité.

Macron, who has previously warned of the dangers of “Islamist separatism,” convened key ministers including Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, Justice Minister Éric Dupond-Moretti, and Education Minister Nicole Belloubet to assess the threat and formulate a national response.

“The Republic is under pressure from ideological forces that reject our laws and values,” a senior official told French media on condition of anonymity. “This report affirms what many within the government have long suspected: that the Brotherhood’s activities, while often legal, are designed to undermine the French model from within.”

A History of Tensions

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, has long denied advocating violence and claims to focus on social and educational reform. However, France’s intelligence services argue that the group promotes an ideology incompatible with democratic norms—particularly when it comes to gender equality, freedom of expression, and the separation of religion and state.

The report stops short of calling for the Brotherhood to be banned but urges the government to strengthen oversight of organizations with suspected links to the movement. It also recommends revisiting France’s legal framework around foreign funding of religious groups and tightening laws around civic associations.

Reactions and Ramifications

The revelations are already generating political reverberations across France. Critics on the left have warned of potential overreach and stigmatization of Muslim communities, while right-wing parties have called for immediate legal crackdowns on organizations affiliated with the Brotherhood.

Human rights advocates have also voiced concern. “The line between legitimate security concerns and a discriminatory crackdown is razor-thin,” said Nadia Amrani, a Paris-based civil liberties lawyer. “If not handled with nuance, this could further alienate law-abiding Muslim citizens.”

Looking Ahead

Macron’s administration is expected to outline concrete policy proposals in the coming weeks, with many observers anticipating a raft of new legislative and administrative measures aimed at bolstering laïcité and countering what the government views as Islamist influence.

As France prepares for upcoming European elections, the report and its implications are likely to remain front and center in political debate—raising profound questions about religious freedom, national identity, and the future of multiculturalism in one of Europe’s most secular states.