European Parliament Adopts Resolution to Counter Muslim Brotherhood Network Infiltration: Tracking Funding and Closing Institutional Doors

Strasbourg –Special Report by Abdel Rahim Ali
The European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution in Strasbourg on Thursday, October 8, 2026, tabled by the European People's Party (EPP) Group and entitled “The Need for an EU Strategy to Counter Islamist Infiltration and the Influence of the Muslim Brotherhood Network” (reference B10-0424/2026). The move followed a heated debate during the plenary session on Wednesday, October 7.
The resolution focuses on tracing funding directed to individuals and entities associated with these networks and preventing their access to European institutions. However, the resolution does not mean that the Muslim Brotherhood has been placed on the European Union's terrorist list, as that decision falls exclusively within the competence of the Council of the European Union.
What Was Decided?
- Voting procedure: The official voting list shows that five motions for resolutions were submitted by the EPP, Renew Europe, European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN), and Patriots for Europe (PfE) groups. Under the applicable procedure, the adoption of the EPP text would render all the other motions void. Subsequent media reports indicated that the EPP resolution had been adopted.
- Core provisions, according to French MEP Céline Imart (The Republicans/EPP), who sponsored the motion: Tracking funding throughout the entire funding chain; ending the practice of awarding funding solely on the basis of applicants' self-declarations; and barring Muslim Brotherhood-linked organizations from European institutions, where they had previously been invited to Parliament, participated in consultations, and engaged in lobbying within the corridors of the European Commission.
- Imart stated that “this vote represents an unprecedented European offensive against Islamist infiltration.”
- Numerous amendments were introduced by the Socialists and Democrats (S&D), the Greens, the Left, and Renew Europe groups. Separate votes were requested on sensitive wording, including the word “political” and references to entities linked to “Qatar or Turkey.” An oral amendment was also proposed concerning two associations in France, “Baraka” and “Ensemble C Mieux,” suspected of raising millions of dollars for Hamas between 2020 and 2026.
- At the time this report was prepared, neither the final voting figures (votes in favor, against, and abstentions) nor the final adopted text had been published on the European Parliament's website.
Provisions Circulated in Draft Versions of the Resolution
- Calling on the High Representative for Foreign Affairs to propose adding the Muslim Brotherhood to the EU list of terrorist organizations.
- Immediately and permanently suspending all grants or subsidies from the EU budget to entities with direct or indirect links to political Islam networks.
- Assessing whether the European framework for combating money laundering and terrorist financing is adequate to intercept foreign funding.
- Urging the European Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) to prioritize monitoring associations linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.
- Tightening oversight of halal certification bodies and their foreign connections, as well as schools and educational associations where documented evidence exists.
Key Developments During the Debate (October 7)
- The Council, represented by the Irish Presidency (Thomas Byrne): Confirmed that the Muslim Brotherhood “has not yet been listed” as a terrorist organization under Council Decision 2026/455, but that it is “clearly subject to increased scrutiny.” The Council representative called for curbing undesirable foreign funding, increasing transparency in the financing of non-governmental organizations, and strengthening intelligence-sharing.
- Commissioner Magnus Brunner (Internal Affairs and Migration): Stated that a strong Europe “protects believers and confronts extremists” and does not tolerate the use of religious freedom as a cover. He referred to the ProtectEU initiative, the counterterrorism prevention agenda, a European system for tracking financial transactions linked to terrorism, and the monitoring of cryptocurrencies. He acknowledged that EU member states differ in their assessments of the Muslim Brotherhood.
- Funding figures raised during the debate: More than €34 million reportedly allocated to Islamic Relief Worldwide between 2007 and 2020, and more than €60 million to organizations described as “controversial or aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood.” These figures were cited in interventions by most of the MEPs.
- Advocates of tougher measures: Tomas Tobé (Sweden, EPP) stated that “openness must not turn into naivety.” Tomislav Sokol (Croatia, EPP) described political Islam as “the greatest threat to Europe's future.” 

Susanna Ceccardi, meanwhile, asserted that Muslim Brotherhood members were infiltrating associations, schools, and universities.
- Those expressing reservations: Ufuk Kahya (Netherlands, Greens) warned that “dehumanization begins with words.” Marco Tarquinio (Italy, S&D) argued that combating infiltration must not become a pretext for undermining European values, citing the withdrawal of funding from the European Network Against Racism (ENAR). Colette Gredler likewise argued that focusing on a single form of extremism amounted to seeking a “scapegoat.”
- The far right: Milan Mazurek (Slovakia, ESN) called for the mass deportation of migrants.
European and International Context
- France: On January 22, 2026, the National Assembly adopted a non-binding resolution by 157 votes to 101, calling for the Muslim Brotherhood to be added to the European terrorist list. On May 5, the Senate approved, by 208 votes to 124, a bill introduced by Bruno Retailleau aimed at combating “infiltration.” A government report published in May 2025 had identified 139 places of worship linked to the Muslim Brotherhood and another 68 considered close to it across 55 departments, representing approximately 7% of the country's 2,800 places of worship. The report also identified 21 schools attended by 4,200 pupils.
- Austria: The government led by Chancellor Christian Stocker is working on legislative amendments to ban political Islam. Sylvia Mayer, Director of the State Protection Directorate, has warned of the emergence of “parallel societies.”
- Germany: Brandenburg's Interior Minister, Jan Redmann, warned that the Muslim Brotherhood was “infiltrating through the back door” to gain access to public funds.
- Belgium: MEP Sophie Wilmès called for the dissolution of extremist associations and the compilation of a list of hate preachers.
- United States: Executive Order 14362 was issued on November 24, 2025. Subsequently, on January 13, 2026, the Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization, while its Egyptian and Jordanian branches were designated as “global terrorists.” In Jordan, the Muslim Brotherhood was banned on April 23, 2025.
Responses and Opposing Positions
The Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) rejected allegations of links to the Muslim Brotherhood, affirming that it is not affiliated with any ideological movement.
The Left and Greens groups warned against stigmatizing Muslims in general.
At the conclusion of the debate, Commissioner Brunner described both concerns about exclusion and fears of undermining European values as “legitimate.”
What Happens Next?
The resolution is political in nature and is not legally binding. Adding the Muslim Brotherhood to the European Union's terrorist list would require a proposal to be submitted to the Council of the European Union and the unanimous agreement of the member states—neither of which has occurred so far.
The immediate practical impact expected from the resolution concerns the criteria governing the allocation of EU funding and access to European institutions.