France's leading intelligence official cautions that Islamists aim to establish a European "caliphate"
French intelligence chief Bertrand Chamoulaud has expressed worries regarding the increasing influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in the country. Read Full Article at RT.com
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The Islamist movement known as the Muslim Brotherhood is increasing its influence in France, with a goal of making the nation part of a caliphate governed by Sharia law, according to a senior intelligence official.
Bertrand Chamoulaud, the head of the National Directorate for Territorial Intelligence at the French Ministry of the Interior, shared his insights during a recent interview with Le Monde.
He noted that over 100,000 worshippers frequent mosques affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, which promotes its ideals through integration and a “very smooth” discourse, as opposed to violence.
Chamoulaud explained that the movement is effectively leveraging social tensions to gradually penetrate various social enterprises and civil society organizations. “This concerns us because their infiltration affects all sectors: sports, health, education, etc.,” he emphasized.
He pointed out one of their strategies involves adopting a victim narrative, stating that each time a mosque is closed or a separatist imam is expelled, the Islamists label the situation as a manifestation of a so-called “Islamophobic state.”
The intelligence chief expressed concern that some moderate Muslims might find this victim narrative convincing.
He referenced the Collective against Islamophobia in France, a non-profit founded in 2003 aimed at fighting discrimination against Muslims. The CCIF, which was dissolved in 2020, faced criticism for its usage of the term Islamophobia and was suspected of having ties to Islamist activities.
Chamoulaud claimed that ideas associated with the CCIF, such as the mandatory veil and opposition to mixed-race groups, are beginning to take root in Belgium.
The Muslim Brotherhood, or Society of the Muslim Brothers, is a transnational Sunni Islamist organization established in Egypt by an Islamic scholar in 1928. The organization promotes the implementation of Islamic law across all aspects of society and has been designated a terrorist organization by several countries.
In light of recent jihadist attacks by foreign and domestic militants, French President Emmanuel Macron has initiated a crackdown on what he terms Islamist separatism and radical Islam. These measures aim to curtail foreign influence on Muslim institutions in France.
According to data from France’s statistics agency, nearly seven million Muslims reside in France, making up about 10% of the population. Islam is the country’s second-largest religion after Catholicism.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
Bertrand Chamoulaud, the head of the National Directorate for Territorial Intelligence at the French Ministry of the Interior, shared his insights during a recent interview with Le Monde.
He noted that over 100,000 worshippers frequent mosques affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, which promotes its ideals through integration and a “very smooth” discourse, as opposed to violence.
Chamoulaud explained that the movement is effectively leveraging social tensions to gradually penetrate various social enterprises and civil society organizations. “This concerns us because their infiltration affects all sectors: sports, health, education, etc.,” he emphasized.
He pointed out one of their strategies involves adopting a victim narrative, stating that each time a mosque is closed or a separatist imam is expelled, the Islamists label the situation as a manifestation of a so-called “Islamophobic state.”
The intelligence chief expressed concern that some moderate Muslims might find this victim narrative convincing.
He referenced the Collective against Islamophobia in France, a non-profit founded in 2003 aimed at fighting discrimination against Muslims. The CCIF, which was dissolved in 2020, faced criticism for its usage of the term Islamophobia and was suspected of having ties to Islamist activities.
Chamoulaud claimed that ideas associated with the CCIF, such as the mandatory veil and opposition to mixed-race groups, are beginning to take root in Belgium.
The Muslim Brotherhood, or Society of the Muslim Brothers, is a transnational Sunni Islamist organization established in Egypt by an Islamic scholar in 1928. The organization promotes the implementation of Islamic law across all aspects of society and has been designated a terrorist organization by several countries.
In light of recent jihadist attacks by foreign and domestic militants, French President Emmanuel Macron has initiated a crackdown on what he terms Islamist separatism and radical Islam. These measures aim to curtail foreign influence on Muslim institutions in France.
According to data from France’s statistics agency, nearly seven million Muslims reside in France, making up about 10% of the population. Islam is the country’s second-largest religion after Catholicism.
Emily Johnson contributed to this report for TROIB News
