France Takes a Stand Against Islamist Influence
On September 3, 2025, France dissolved the European Institute of Human Sciences (IESH), marking a significant moment in Europe’s fight against Islamist influence. For decades, IESH was considered the country’s premier center for training imams. However, investigations revealed it served as a vehicle for the Muslim Brotherhood’s ideological agenda.
An Academic Façade with a Hidden Mission
Founded in 1992 in Burgundy, IESH presented itself as a theological school teaching Arabic, Qur’anic studies, and Islamic theology. Hundreds of students trained here would later lead mosques and associations across Europe.
Over time, suspicions mounted. A government report and police investigations revealed that some materials allegedly legitimized jihad, encouraged discrimination against non-Muslims and LGBTQ+ individuals, and promoted rigid interpretations of Islamic law. Several graduates were linked to extremist movements, showing that IESH functioned as both a school and a recruitment hub.
Financial irregularities added to concerns, including undeclared foreign funding likely tied to Gulf-based donors. This confirmed the Brotherhood’s known tactic: using transnational resources to build local influence under a community service façade.
France Draws a Clear Line
Invoking the 2021 anti-separatism law, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin highlighted the importance of protecting France from “infiltration under the mask of education.” The closure reflects a growing awareness of the Brotherhood’s ideological threat, which goes beyond violence to long-term influence in schools, mosques, and cultural organizations.
A European Trend
France is not alone:
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Austria banned the Brotherhood outright, including its symbols and literature.
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Germany monitors Brotherhood-linked associations, with several closures already enforced.
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The UK has investigated funding and political ties, though it has not issued a full ban.
These steps reflect a growing European consensus: while the Brotherhood presents itself as non-violent, its gradual infiltration threatens integration and constitutional norms.
Conclusion
France’s move against IESH is more than administrative; it is a strategic message. The fight is not against Islam, but against the politicization of religion by the Brotherhood. By exposing the institute’s hidden role, France demonstrates that transparency and vigilance are essential to safeguarding democracy and protecting Muslim communities from exploitation.