Full Breakdown
European Parliament Calls for Muslim Brotherhood Terror Designation
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Resolution Adopted to Counter Muslim Brotherhood Influence
On 8 October, the European Parliament approved a non-binding resolution urging the European Union to add individuals and entities linked to the Muslim Brotherhood to the EU’s counter-terrorism sanctions list. The text also calls for a coordinated EU strategy to identify “Islamist entryism,” tighter scrutiny of EU funding, and the exclusion of the Forum of European Organizations for Muslim Youth and Students (Femiso) from EU institutions. The vote tally was 381 in favour, 167 against, with 15 abstentions.
Background & Context
The Brotherhood, outlawed in several Middle-East states—including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Egypt—has faced increasing pressure from Western governments. Earlier this year, the Trump administration designated branches of the movement in Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon as terrorist organisations. In January, the French parliament passed a resolution urging the EU to list the Brotherhood as a terrorist group. The European People’s Party (EPP), the Parliament’s largest political group, drafted the current resolution, with support from the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group.
Data & Statistics
- Vote result: 381 yes, 167 no, 15 abstentions.
- The resolution singles out Qatar and Turkey for heightened scrutiny of foreign funding.
- It requests the EU to assess “front organisations,” financial networks, youth groups and “ideological platforms” linked to the Brotherhood.
- The text proposes the removal of Femiso from EU bodies.
Official Statements & Responses
- Massad Boulos, senior advisor for Arab and African affairs to former U.S.
Criticism & Opposition
Members of the Greens, Socialists, Democrats and radical left groups voted against the resolution, labeling it as “Islamophobic.” These groups contend that the resolution conflates political Islam with terrorism and risks stigmatizing Muslim communities.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Islamic penetration does not always start with the noise of weapons, but rather with a smile, a carefully arranged tie, and human rights language distorted out of context,” — Céline Aymar
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While the resolution enjoys broad support among centre-right parties, there is no unified stance among EU member states on how to implement a Brotherhood terror designation. The European Council, which must decide on any formal listing, has not yet indicated a timeline for action.
What’s Next
The resolution now proceeds to the European Council, which will determine whether the Brotherhood and its affiliates are added to the EU terror list. The European Commission has been tasked with delivering a “comprehensive overview” of EU funds awarded to organisations linked to the Brotherhood, and with proposing safeguards to prevent future financing of extremist networks.