France has taken a significant step in its fight against the Muslim Brotherhood’s networks in Europe by dissolving the European Institute of Human Sciences (IESH), a move described as a “major blow” to one of the organization’s most influential platforms on the continent.
The End of a Key Platform for Political Islam
The French Interior Minister, Bruno Retailleau, announced the decision during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
According to the government, the European Institute of Human Sciences had served as a front for spreading extremist ideology and justifying violent jihad under the guise of “religious education.”
The dissolution signals the end of a chapter in which the Brotherhood expanded under academic and religious labels, producing imams aligned with the organization’s political agenda rather than with the values of the French Republic.
Results of Extensive Investigation
French intelligence agencies conducted a wide-ranging investigation into the IESH before the decision was made.
Findings revealed that the institute promoted a hardline interpretation of Islam and acted as a gateway for political Islam to influence French society.
As a result, the government ordered:
- The immediate closure of the institute.
- The suspension of all its educational activities.
- The freezing of its assets and financial operations.
A Strategic Shift in France’s Counter-Extremism Policy
This move marks a strategic shift in Paris’ approach to combating Islamist extremism by dismantling the soft-power tools the Brotherhood has relied on for decades.
Particularly in training imams and religious leaders.
Experts say the closure sets a precedent for similar actions against other associations or institutions linked to political Islam.
Protecting France’s Values and Moderate Muslims
The closure also highlights an urgent need for state-backed alternatives to train imams and preachers, ensuring that religious discourse in France aligns with republican values.
Religious leaders such as Imam Hassen Chalghoumi, known for his anti-extremism stance, hailed the decision as “a great victory for the Republic against Islamist infiltration” and thanked the government for “protecting France’s values and moderate Muslims.”
Broader Political and Social Implications
Since its founding in 1992, the European Institute of Human Sciences positioned itself as an academic center for Islamic studies and Arabic language instruction.
However, intelligence reports exposed its ideological character and its role in building a network of influence for the Muslim Brotherhood.
The closure sends a clear political message:
- France will not allow religion to be used as a political weapon.
- The government is determined to curb political Islam’s influence, not only by banning suspicious associations but also by targeting educational institutions misused as vehicles for extremism.
European Institute of Human Sciences Closing: A Turning Point in France’s Battle Against Extremism
Analysts view the dissolution of the IESH as a turning point in France’s battle against extremism, reinforcing its commitment to secularism and the rule of law.
By dismantling this key Brotherhood stronghold, France aims to reshape the training of religious leaders and safeguard its society from ideologies that undermine its democratic values.
