Billions of euros are flowing from Brussels to various NGOs for so-called “anti-racism” initiatives, but in many cases it is networks linked to the Muslim Brotherhood that ultimately benefit. A new report reveals how EU programmes such as Erasmus+ and projects aimed at combating “Islamophobia” serve to legitimise Islamist structures — and how these groups weaponise accusations of “Islamophobia” against all criticism.

The European Union regularly stresses that it does not fund extremists, yet a new comprehensive report paints a markedly different picture. According to its findings, EU funding, political legitimacy and institutional access have for years been channelled to organisations linked to the Muslim Brotherhood — which is designated as a terrorist organisation in some countries — often disguised as various anti-racism and anti-Islamophobia projects.

The report was authored by French anthropologist Florence Bergeaud-Blackler, a researcher at the Paris-based National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), and political scientist Tommaso Virgili, who specialises in Islamism and Muslim integration in Europe. The study was commissioned by the European Conservatives and Reformists Group in the European Parliament, according to the Austrian daily Exxpress news site.

The analysis focuses on so-called “Frerism” (frerisme), the strategic ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood. Unlike classical jihadism, this approach does not rely on open revolution but on the long-term acquisition of power through non-governmental organisations, education, language and institutions. Violence is not rejected, but rather „postponed”. Patience, adaptation and control over moral interpretation are its primary tools.

The authors emphasise that the ideology itself is not new — only its outward appearance is. Frerism presents itself as open to dialogue, inclusive and moderate, while its political objectives remain unchanged.

The report is particularly critical of the increasingly widespread use of the term “Islamophobia”. It argues that the concept is scientifically imprecise, unfalsifiable and politically highly effective. Criticism of Islamist ideologies, specific religious demands or political goals is systematically labelled as racist — thereby stripping it of moral legitimacy. The report pointedly states:

“Nothing exposes frerism more clearly than the fight against Islamophobia. The result is paradoxical: the struggle is no longer against extremism, but against any criticism levelled at extremism.

The study highlights the particular significance of equating religion with race.

Because frerism reframes criticism of belief and ideology as discrimination, leading to the suppression of public debate, as any substantive discussion carries the risk of political or institutional sanctions.

Brussels Keeps Funding Islamist Networks Lavishly

The authors of the study examine several key EU programmes, including Erasmus+, REC and CERV. Erasmus+ alone has funded 172 projects directly linked to Islamophobia. In total, tens of millions of euros have flowed into studies, campaigns and NGOs that adopt or actively reinforce this framework.

Warum ist die EU so besessen davon, den Kontinent für den Islam zu öffnen? Unter dem Vorwand, man wolle „Islamophobie“ bekämpfen, werden offen islamistische Projekte gefördert und dem politischen Islam in Europa Tür und Tor geöffnet.https://t.co/5U4ioc9ATY pic.twitter.com/5ND9vQW9Xc

— Peter Borbe (@PeterBorbe) December 21, 2025

In this context, the report frequently mentions FEMYSO, a Europe-wide network of Muslim youth and student organisations which, according to the study, shows personal and ideological overlap with the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as the European Network Against Racism (ENAR), an influential anti-racism umbrella organisation that received approximately €23 million in EU funding between 2007 and 2020. The authors also refer to the Collectif contre l’Islamophobie en France (CCIF), an organisation specialising in documenting cases of alleged Islamophobia, which has since been dissolved by the French authorities.

The “European Islamophobia Report” was likewise funded from EU resources — despite the report’s claim that its publishers and authors maintain close ties to Islamist networks and to Turkey.

The “Freedom in Hijab” campaign, funded with €340,000, proved particularly controversial. The veil was presented as a symbol of self-determination, diversity and freedom — a central narrative of Islamist organisations — but the campaign drew heavy criticism, especially from France, and was ultimately withdrawn.

The European Commission has officially distanced itself from the initiative, stating that it did not vet the content. For the authors of the study, this is telling: the lack of precise terminology and inadequate oversight from the EC point to a political willingness to look the other way.