Concerns Arise over Muslim Brotherhood Influence in Canada

A recent report highlights concerns about networks connected to the Muslim Brotherhood becoming entrenched in Canada. The fear is that this Islamist influence could threaten Western democracies and the United States.

The Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) released a report showing ties between groups aligned with the Muslim Brotherhood and Canadian democratic institutions, civil society, electoral politics, and higher education. Analysts have likened these connections to movements seen in other Western countries.

Charles Asher Small, ISGAP’s executive director, explained the threat to Canadian democracy. Historically rooted in openness and public trust, Canada now faces foreign influence that might undermine democratic principles.

The 200-page report, “Assault on Democratic Values and Principles,” claims links between the Muslim Association of Canada and the Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood, founded in Egypt in 1928, aims to establish an Islamic caliphate governed by strict Islamic laws.

The Muslim Association of Canada, a prominent nonprofit, operates numerous community programs and has been accused of ties to the Brotherhood. However, the association denied these claims, describing the report as Islamophobic and lacking substantiation.

In a 2023 audit, Canadian tax officials pointed to potential links between the Muslim Association of Canada and the Brotherhood. Ultimately, the association’s tax-exempt status remained intact after these claims were dismissed.

ISGAP warned of a “Vote Palestine” campaign during Canada’s 2025 election cycle, which allegedly influenced political endorsements. This campaign involved coordination between groups perceived to have Brotherhood affiliations.

The report underscores the potential risk of such influences spreading to the U.S. ISGAP’s Small noted similarities with past events where radical political Islam allied with other movements, reflecting events such as the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

Muslim scholar Dalia Ziada, who fled Egypt, commented on the dangers posed by alliances between radical Islamism and radical left ideologies, emphasizing the threat to Western democracies.

An investigation by Fox News Digital identified a network of roughly 425 organizations tied to this transnational movement, collecting approximately $1 billion in annual funds.

In recent years, the U.S. Treasury Department designated parts of the Muslim Brotherhood as Specially Designated Global Terrorists and sanctioned officials linked to financing militant activities.

The ISGAP report calls for the Canadian government to implement policy changes to curb the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood in elections and institutions.

The Canadian Embassy in Washington has not responded to requests for comments on the report’s findings.