MEF Dispatch: Islamists Threaten the West from Within

воскресенье, 1 февраля 2026 г.

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View on web  |  Read what you missed Islamists Threaten the West from Within By Winfield Myers ● Feb 01, 2026 Smart Brevity® count: 7.5 mins...1954 words Events in Iran and Syria have dominated our offerings over the past month. We've therefore devoted this special issue of the Dispatch to how Islamists threaten the West from within. Dexter Van Zile, Jules Gomes, Joe Adam George, Nathaniel Miller, A.J. Caschetta, and others cover Islamists' actions and influences from the United States and Canada to Europe and Australia. Islamophobiacs Help Incite Leftist Protestors in Minnesota By: Dexter Van Zile Minnesota's Somali immigrant community faces accusations of siphoning billions from taxpayers, igniting nationwide outrage and political upheaval. Political tremors: Governor Tim Walz's career takes a hit as he exits the 2026 race, unable to withstand the backlash over his perceived inaction against the fraud. Despite claims of "Islamophobia" from Muslim organizations, the scandal's gravity overshadows their defense, leaving Walz vulnerable. Explosive exposure: Journalist Nick Shirley's viral video unmasked the fraudulent billing scheme, sparking fierce public reaction. The footage, capturing empty daycares and whistleblower testimonies, has been a catalyst for widespread condemnation and demands for justice. To read the full article, click here. Baptist Islamophobiacs Submit to Islamism in the Name of Peace By: Dexter Van Zile Anna Piela and Michael Woolf, Baptist scholars, are under fire for promoting their book on "Islamophobia" through an outlet tied to Islamist ideologies. Controversial ties: Their choice of Abdul Malik Mujahid, linked to ICNA—a group with extremist histories—as a platform, raises serious concerns. Critics argue this move undermines their stated commitment to religious freedom and tolerance. Silencing critique: Piela and Woolf advocate for an uncritical acceptance of Islam, dismissing valid concerns about Islamism as "Islamophobia." This stance dangerously shields Islam from necessary scrutiny and hinders open dialogue. To read the full article, click here. MAS-ICNA Conference Headlined by Antisemites, Extremists By: Nathaniel Miller The Muslim American Society (MAS) and the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) co-hosted a controversial conference in Chicago, spotlighting speakers with histories of extremism and antisemitism. Platforming hate: Keynote speakers included those with known ties to extremist ideologies, raising alarms about the event's agenda. Figures like Yasir Qadhi, who has downplayed the Holocaust, and Mohammed Habehh, who has made antisemitic remarks, were given a platform. Foreign influence: The presence of Turkish politician Tugba Isik Ercan underscores Turkey's attempts to sway American Muslim communities. Critics warn that MAS and ICNA's associations with such figures suggest a disturbing trend of normalizing extremist rhetoric post-October 7. To read the full article, click here. How Campus Anti-Israel Activism Collapsed Into a Single Fronts By: A.J. Caschetta The Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) are increasingly seen as two sides of the same coin, sharing identical goals and rhetoric in their anti-Israel activism. Interchangeable rhetoric: Both groups use similar language to push their agendas, even adopting identical stances on significant events like the October 7 ceasefire. Their statements often blur the lines between their identities, with JVP leveraging its Jewish association while echoing SJP's anti-Zionist sentiments. Unified front: The collaboration between JVP and SJP extends to their responses on various global issues, from the Minneapolis riots to international affairs like the Maduro arrest. Law enforcement and congressional investigators looking into SJP practices and funding should focus equal attention on JVP. Civil litigants against SJP should include JVP in their lawsuits. To read the full article, click here. Qatar's Takeover of Georgetown University Should Be Investigated By: Winfield Myers Georgetown University faces scrutiny for its $971 million financial ties with Hamas-supporting Qatar—funding that further ensconced extant Islamist influences in the university's intellectual culture. Qatar's tentacles: The Doha campus partnership and endowments have embedded Qatari interests deeply into Georgetown's academic and governance structures. This jeopardizes academic independence, especially at the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, the United States' premier training ground for diplomats and foreign-policy leaders.. Call for transparency: The Department of Education and Congress should curb foreign interference to protect national security and academic freedom. Georgetown must remove foreign government representatives from its board to prevent massive Islamist influence over future diplomats' education. To read the full article, click here. France's National Assembly Votes to Designate Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organization By: Jules Gomes France's National Assembly has taken a bold step, voting to classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization due to its "subversive ideology" and support for entities like Hamas. Political clash: The decision, passed with a vote of 157 to 101, exposed deep political rifts, with the far-left La France Insoumise (LFI) opposing the resolution and accused of aligning with Islamist movements. Laurent Jacobelli of the Rassemblement National party sharply criticized LFI, highlighting their defense of a group that "wants to stone homosexuals." Rising Islamist threat: Reports warn of growing Islamism in France, with increasing numbers of young Muslims prioritizing Sharia law and supporting radical ideologies. French intelligence identifies the Brotherhood as a threat to national cohesion, advocating for systemic changes against secular and gender norms. To read the full article, click here. Rome's New Muslim Party Promotes Arabic in School Curriculum By: Jules Gomes A new political party, Muslims for Rome 2027 (MuRo2027), faces backlash for promoting Islamic supremacy and sparking fears of Islamization in Italy's capital. Provocative imagery: Founded by Francesco Tieri, MuRo2027 uses symbols like a crescent moon over the Colosseum to assert Islamic dominance, inciting anxiety about Muslim political control. Critics highlight the group's endorsement of Arabic in Roman schools as a potential threat to Italian culture. Political implications: MuRo2027 draws inspiration from Zohran Mamdani's election in New York, aiming to mobilize the Muslim vote in Rome's upcoming elections. This is part of a broader Islamist agenda seeking to alter Italy's political landscape, challenging secular and cultural norms. To read the full article, click here. Theologians Refute Jerusalem Patriarchs' Statement Criticizing Christian Zionism By: Jules Gomes Christian theologians are fiercely criticizing a recent statement from Jerusalem church leaders that condemns Christian Zionism as "damaging" and divisive. Condemnation fuels controversy: The declaration, quickly weaponized by anti-Israel activists and even former Fox News host Tucker Carlson, targets evangelical Christians who are a key support base for Israel. Theologians argue this stance contradicts Church teachings, with leaders like Gerald McDermott highlighting how it conflicts with Vatican II's affirmation of Jewish covenant rights. Internal power dynamics: Critics like A.J. Nolte suggest the statement reflects "internal dhimmitude," or Arab Christians' subjugation to Muslim interests. Prominent Israeli Christians denounce the statement as a desperate attempt by Arab Church leaders to appease Islamic agendas while avoiding criticism of radical Islamist actions. To read the full article, click here. U.K. to Investigate Role of Islamic Doctrine on Grooming Gangs By: Jules Gomes The U.K. government has launched an inquiry to scrutinize the influence of Islam on grooming gangs primarily composed of Muslim men of Pakistani origin. Major policy shift: This investigation aims to reveal how religion, culture, and ethnicity contribute to these crimes, a move supported by Public Policy Researcher Carys Moseley and scholar Mark Durie. Moseley warns that the inquiry might avoid probing religious motivations due to the new Islamophobia definition, potentially stifling critical examination. Religious factors: Mark Durie highlights Islamic teachings as key drivers, stating these crimes cannot be comprehended without acknowledging religion's role. The inquiry, funded with a £65 million budget, will explore the religious aspects of these atrocities over a three-year period. To read the full article, click here. Add Australia to the Religious Freedom Watch List By: Michael Rubin A month after gunmen killed 15 at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, criticism mounts against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong for their policies that appease radicalism. Ignoring warnings: Albanese and Wong's recognition of a Palestinian state after Hamas's attack signaled a disturbing acceptance of terrorism, emboldening domestic extremists. Arson and vandalism against Jewish institutions surged, with antisemitic sentiments escalating to the point where nurses openly threatened Jewish patients online. Political backlash: The Jewish community in Australia demands serious action from Albanese, who is accused of sidestepping responsibility and delaying effective measures. Critics call for international leaders, like President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio, to designate Australia as a Country of Particular Concern for its failure to protect religious freedom. To read the full article, click here. Why Western Enforcement Frameworks Fail Against Ideologically Aligned NGOs By: Aaron J. Shuster Western governments excel at monitoring legal compliance but falter when NGOs push ideological agendas that undermine state policies and security. Regulatory blind spots: NGOs operate within legal frameworks, advancing narratives that align with hostile actors, yet enforcement remains stalled. Critics highlight the lack of action due to regulatory gaps and political risk aversion, leaving NGOs unchecked. Structural protection: NGOs exploit their status, operating transnationally and politically while maintaining a humanitarian facade. Governments must redesign enforcement to address strategically abusive behavior, ensuring accountability beyond legal compliance. To read the full article, click here. Islamism Risks Becoming Canada's Deadliest Export to U.S. By: Joe Adam George A recent investigation reveals 450 individuals in Hamas with Canadian ties, highlighting Canada's vulnerability to Islamist infiltration. Security threats: Usama Ali, a dual Canadian-Lebanese citizen, sits on Hamas's Shura Council, overseeing millions in assets, while hate-motivated extremism and terrorism charges rise in Canada. Experts warn that Canada's weak security posture and outdated regulations make it a haven for extremists, with Islamist ideologies permeating educational institutions and NGOs. International implications: Former diplomat Edmund Fitton-Brown emphasizes Canada's role as a Muslim Brotherhood stronghold, with significant influence in civil society and government. The U.S. must regard Canada's Islamist networks as a security priority, given the ease of border crossings and the potential threat to North American security. To read the full article, click here. Canadian Islamists Assail Workplace Neutrality in Government Offices By: Joe Adam George A recent investigation reveals that advocates with Islamist agendas have embedded themselves within Canada's federal bureaucracy, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Internal advocacy: The Muslim Federal Employees Network, founded by Leila El-Khatib, pushes for Islamist narratives within the public service, moving beyond workplace support to political advocacy. The Network calls for Palestinian political narratives, challenges workplace norms, and seeks taxpayer funding for religious accommodations. Systemic influence: Supported by Amira Elghawaby, Canada's Special Representative on Islamophobia, the Network pressures federal departments for policy changes related to Islam. Critics argue this ideological capture erodes the distinction between private beliefs and public duties, threatening Canada's democratic institutions. To read the full article, click here. From Toronto to Sydney, ISIS's Digital Reach Keeps the Threat Alive By: Joe Adam George Recent arrests in Toronto highlight the Islamic State's enduring threat as the group adapts, using digital networks for global radicalization. Persistent danger: Despite losing territory, ISIS remains active, with attacks in Syria and Australia proving its global reach. Canada reports 23 ISIS-linked arrests since 2023, including Waleed Khan, charged with terrorism, showcasing the spread of ISIS influence. Digital radicalization: The Islamic State's "do-it-yourself" strategy leverages digital platforms, enabling lone-wolf attacks without centralized control. As extremist narratives spread online, Canadian authorities must prioritize counterterrorism to prevent future attacks, especially during vulnerable holiday seasons. To read the full article, click here. Joe Adam George on Canada and Islamism: A Warning By: Marilyn Stern Joe Adam George, the Middle East Forum's research analyst for Islamist threats in Canada, spoke to a recent Middle East Forum Podcast. Persistent danger: Despite losing territory, ISIS remains active, with attacks in Syria and Australia proving its global reach. Canada reports 23 ISIS-linked arrests since 2023, including Waleed Khan, charged with terrorism, showcasing the spread of ISIS influence. Digital radicalization: The Islamic State's "do-it-yourself" strategy leverages digital platforms, enabling lone-wolf attacks without centralized control. As extremist narratives spread online, Canadian authorities must prioritize counterterrorism to prevent future attacks, especially during vulnerable holiday seasons. To read the full summary and watch the podcast, click here. We hope you found this issue of the MEF Dispatch enlightening and enjoyable. If you enjoyed it, please forward it to a friend. We invite you to use the comments feature to let us know your thoughts on the Dispatch and the issues we cover. Sincerely, Winfield Myers Managing Editor, Middle East Forum Director, Campus Watch Was this edition useful? Your email will be recorded and shared with the sender MEF, an activist think tank, deals with the Middle East, Islamism, U.S. foreign policy, and related topics, urging bold measures to protect Americans and their allies. Pursuing its goals via intellectual and operational means, the Forum recurrently has policy ideas adopted by the U.S. government. Copyright © 2025 Middle East Forum, All rights reserved. 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