A wave of concern is building as the United States moves toward formally designating the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, intensifying calls for Canada to take similar action.
President Trump recently announced the imminent completion of documents to label the Brotherhood – a nearly century-old Islamist organization originating in Egypt – as a terrorist entity, promising a decisive and forceful declaration.
Founded in 1928 by Egyptian cleric Hassan al-Banna, the Brotherhood’s influence surged following the 1967 Six-Day War, spreading its teachings across the Arab world and eventually gaining a foothold in Egyptian politics.
Egypt has repeatedly banned the organization, most recently after the 2013 ousting of President Mohamed Morsi, who had ties to the Brotherhood, revealing a turbulent history marked by political upheaval.
The Brotherhood’s ideology has proven deeply influential, attracting and inspiring figures central to global terrorism, including Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, whose foundational beliefs were shaped by the writings of Egyptian scholar Sayyid Qutb.
Advocates within Canada are urgently arguing for a ban, with Imam Mohammad Tawhidi of the Global Imams Council stating unequivocally that the Brotherhood represents the greatest current threat to national security.
Tawhidi warned of the group’s extensive reach, potent ideological influence, and remarkable ability to infiltrate and manipulate systems, characterizing the danger as a stark reality, not mere rhetoric.
Former Canadian Justice Minister Irwin Cotler echoed this sentiment, framing Tawhidi’s words as a critical “call to action,” emphasizing the threat to Canadian values, identity, and the pursuit of peace and justice.
Several nations, including Austria, Egypt, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, have already outlawed the Brotherhood, recognizing the dangers it poses to their national security.
Experts suggest the Brotherhood has been quietly establishing a presence in Canada for decades, infiltrating key sectors like healthcare, finance, and government, effectively using the country to fund and support extremist activities.
Concerns are growing that the Brotherhood has been subtly working to introduce Sharia guidelines into Canadian society, a process largely unchecked for a quarter of a century, with potentially serious consequences.
Unlike overtly violent groups, the Brotherhood operates largely in the shadows, making its influence more insidious and difficult to counter, according to analysts.
The increasing international momentum to confront the Brotherhood underscores Canada’s growing isolation, with observers warning that continued silence is no longer an option.
The world is responding to this threat, yet Canada remains conspicuously absent from the conversation, a silence that many believe the nation can no longer afford.
