Following a government-commissioned study that identified the Muslim Brotherhood as a threat to France’s societal structure and institutions, the French President has instructed ministers to develop appropriate responses.

While the French government has opted not to release the full report, it reportedly “accuses the Muslim Brotherhood of employing a subtle strategy, using local agents to undermine France’s secular principles and organizations.” This strategy is allegedly focused on impacting local governance, education, and religious institutions to promote changes at both local and national levels, especially concerning gender equality and secularism.

The report asserts that “the reality of this threat, even if it is long-term and does not involve violent action, highlights the risk of damage to the fabric of society and republican institutions.”

Christopher Holton, a senior analyst at the Center for Security Policy, told Digital that the French intelligence report “came as a surprise,” considering that European intelligence agencies “have been in denial about the Islamization of Europe” for “a quarter-century or so.”

“The Muslim Brotherhood is one of the most influential organizations in the entire Islamic world,” Holton stated. “This report acknowledges that, and that’s something that no official government report in the West that I’m aware of has really acknowledged.

“They don’t conceal their philosophy. They don’t conceal their plans. They’re pretty transparent,” Holton said of the Muslim Brotherhood, pointing to the final portion of the group’s motto, which he said is “Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope.”

However, there is less clarity surrounding the affiliations of various groups with the Muslim Brotherhood. The French intelligence report alleges that the Muslims of France serve as the “national branch” of the organization. The group has dismissed these accusations as “unfounded.”

Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, told Digital that “the Muslim Brotherhood’s model is pretty similar across Europe.” Due to its “mixture of open association and clandestine connections,” Mendoza states, “it is difficult to know the exact degree of Muslim Brotherhood penetration.”

Mendoza says the Muslim Brotherhood today “is therefore a particular menace for European Muslim communities as it seeks to radicalize religious thought, and for European countries because it is interested in a within states.” Mendoza stated this is “part of the reason we are seeing increased sectarianization within European societies.”

The Muslim Brotherhood’s presence in the U.S. is again facing increased scrutiny.

Earlier this week Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas., announced on X, “In the coming days, I will be circulating and re-introducing a modernized version of the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act, which I have been pushing for my entire Senate career.” Cruz stated that “the Muslim Brotherhood used the Biden administration to consolidate and deepen their influence, but the Trump administration and Republican Congress can no longer afford to avoid to Americans and American national security.”

In April, Jordan officially banned the group, joining several other nations that have already imposed bans or restrictions. These nations, according to Reuters, include Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.

Reuters contributed to this report.