A recent report presented to French President Emmanuel Macron has raised alarms over the infiltration of Islamist ideologies into the country’s republican institutions. Authored by two senior civil servants, the document alleges that the Muslim Brotherhood is employing a strategy of “entryism” to influence public bodies such as schools and local governments.
The report identifies the Federation of Muslims of France (FMF) as the primary domestic affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood, claiming it controls 139 places of worship and operates approximately 280 associations across various sectors. The movement’s objective is to establish localized “ecosystems” that promote stricter religious practices, including the widespread use of the abaya and headscarves among young girls.
In response to the findings, President Macron convened a security cabinet meeting and instructed the government to develop new proposals by early next month to address the issue. The Élysée Palace emphasized that this “entryism” differs from separatism, as it involves integrating into republican structures to gradually alter them from within.
The report’s revelations have sparked a national debate about the balance between secularism and religious expression in France, a country where secularism is a cornerstone of its national identity.
