Germany Raises Alert Over Muslim Brotherhood's Gradual Infiltration Strategy

German authorities and Social Democratic Party officials have expressed growing concern over the Muslim Brotherhood's strategy of gradual infiltration into German society through religious, educational, and welfare institutions. A senior Social Democrat, Khader, warned that the Brotherhood exploits democratic freedoms to promote agendas that contradict Germany's constitutional values, including gender equality and minority rights. He described the approach as particularly insidious because it uses democratic rules to ultimately undermine democracy itself.

Khader highlighted that the Brotherhood does not seek to overthrow democracy through violence but aims for gradual societal penetration to gain public legitimacy and potentially public funding for its ideological goals. Key tools of influence include Islamic centers and charitable organizations, such as the German Muslim Community (DMG), which operates mosques and cooperates with numerous Islamic centers nationwide. These centers serve not only as places of worship but also as hubs for ideological indoctrination and social activities that foster parallel cultural environments.

Youth are a primary target through organizations like the Muslim Youth in Germany, which offers camps and cultural programs linked to Brotherhood networks. The digital sphere also plays a significant role, with Islamist influencers using platforms like TikTok and YouTube to reach millions of young people, gradually shifting content toward extremism. Since October 7, 2023, there has been an unprecedented rise in digital propaganda, amplified by social media algorithms and migration to encrypted channels like Telegram.

Khader stressed that combating this phenomenon requires more than security measures; it demands expanded integration programs, stronger youth engagement, and stricter regulation of tech companies regarding extremist content. Germany is closely monitoring developments in France, where a 2025 government report warned of a similar Brotherhood infiltration through mosques, associations, and schools, leading to a 2026 law targeting Islamist penetration of state institutions.

While the German federal government has found no evidence of systematic infiltration into political parties, it acknowledges repeated attempts by Islamist figures to present themselves as Muslim representatives to policymakers. In Berlin, efforts to engage local political structures, including the Social Democrats and Greens, have been noted. Khader emphasized that denial of gender equality, antisemitism, and prioritizing Sharia over the constitution are non-negotiable red lines for any democratic party.

In November 2025, Germany established a permanent advisory body on preventing and combating Islamism, tasked with developing a national strategy addressing online radicalization, funding sources, foreign influence, antisemitism, and legal Islamism. Khader concluded that the fight against Islamism is not against Muslims but to protect the majority who are its primary victims, requiring a comprehensive policy that safeguards democracy and supports democratic Muslims rather than relying solely on security actions.