Jewish Advocacy Group Demands Canada Designate Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organization
A prominent Jewish advocacy group has issued a forceful call for the Canadian federal government to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, urging immediate action to safeguard national security and democratic values. This appeal comes as the United States has recently taken similar steps, designating branches of the movement as global terrorists.
Press Conference on Parliament Hill
During a press conference held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, representatives from the Jewish advocacy group Tafsik described the Muslim Brotherhood as a "real and immediate threat" to Canada's democratic institutions. Amir Epstein, the executive director of Tafsik, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We need urgent action by our government to protect all Canadians now. Designate Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization now."
Epstein was joined by Shannon Seban, a French politician and Jewish activist, and Mohammad Tawhidi, known as the "Imam of Peace," both of whom supported the call for designation. Epstein warned that "Canada will undoubtedly fall" if the government fails to act against Canadian Islamist organizations linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Background and International Context
The Muslim Brotherhood is a pan-Islamist movement that originated in Egypt during the 1920s and has since influenced various groups across the Middle East. It is currently banned as a terrorist organization in several Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt. In January, the United States designated the Lebanese, Egyptian, and Jordanian branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
A U.S. Department of Treasury release from January 13 noted, "Chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood purport to be legitimate civic organizations while, behind the scenes, they explicitly and enthusiastically support terrorist groups like Hamas." This aligns with concerns raised in a report prepared for the French government, which warned that the movement poses a "threat to national cohesion" in Europe.
Canadian Connections and Existing Listings
Canada has already listed groups that have spun off from the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations, including Hamas. According to official listings, Hamas "emerged from the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in 1987." Jewish groups such as B'Nai Brith Canada have long advocated for the designation of the Muslim Brotherhood, intensifying their efforts following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel.
In January, B'Nai Brith encouraged its members to write to Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree, urging him to follow the U.S. example. However, designating the Muslim Brotherhood presents significant challenges, as noted by Middle East researcher and professor Thomas Juneau from the University of Ottawa.
Challenges in Designation
Professor Juneau explained that the Muslim Brotherhood is not a single, unified group but rather a broad movement with individual chapters in multiple countries worldwide. He stated, "Even individual chapters are often more loose movements than unified groups," highlighting the complexity of such a designation. This makes the process easier said than done, despite growing political pressure in certain circles to list the organization.
The call for action underscores ongoing debates about national security, terrorism, and the balance between protecting democratic values and addressing perceived threats. As advocacy groups continue to push for stricter measures, the Canadian government faces a critical decision that could have far-reaching implications for both domestic policy and international relations.
