Egypt puts 35 European Muslim groups, 36 people on terror list

An Egyptian court has ordered 35 Muslim organisations operating across Europe and 36 individuals to be added to the country’s terrorism lists for five years, according to Egypt Today.

The ruling was issued on Tuesday, November 10, by the Second Criminal Circuit of the Cairo Criminal Court in Badr. It was published in a supplement to Issue No. 250 of the official gazette, Al-Waqa’i Al-Masriyya.

Among the organisations named are the Council of European Muslims and its branches, Muslims of France, the Muslim Association of Britain, the Swiss Muslim League and the German Islamic Community.

Others include the Islamic Association in Sweden, Islamic Association in Italy, Islamic Association for Dialogue and Coexistence in Spain, Irish Islamic Association, Islamic Association in Poland, Islamic and Cultural Association in Romania, Muslim Association of Hungary, Al-Hikma Association for Science, Friendship and Cooperation in Türkiye and Al-Mustaqbal Cultural Association in Albania.

The list also names the Council of Muslims of Ukraine, Muslim League of Belgium, AKOS Association for Education and Culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Union of Islamic Organisations in Russia, Islamic Youth Association in North Macedonia, Islamic Association in Finland, Islamic Association in Norway, Cultural Foundation for Science and Education in Kosovo, Danish Islamic Council, Islamic Cultural Complex in Austria, Dutch Islamic Association, Al-Salam Islamic Cultural Association in Moldova, Arab-Greek Centre for Culture and Civilisation in Greece and Union of Muslim Students in the Czech Republic.

Seven Europe-wide institutions are also included: the European Council for Fatwa and Research, European Council of Imams, European Council for the Muslim Family, European Council for the Holy Quran, European Council for Muslim Women, European Islamic Students Forum and European Institute of Human Sciences, including its branches.

British-Iraqi political activist Anas Osama Tawfiq al-Tikriti, founder and chief executive of the Cordoba Foundation, is among the 36 individuals named.

Speaking to The New Arab, al-Tikriti said Egyptian authorities had not contacted him before his name appeared in the official gazette. He questioned the grounds for his inclusion and suggested that his criticism of authoritarian governments could be behind the decision.

The ruling came a day after Egypt permanently placed the Muslim Brotherhood on its terrorism list, replacing a temporary designation introduced in 2022.

The latest decision also comes amid debate in Europe over alleged links between Muslim organisations and the Brotherhood. On October 8, the European Parliament adopted a non-binding resolution calling for greater scrutiny of organisations suspected of having such links.

The resolution received 381 votes in favour, 167 against and 15 abstentions. It urged the European Union to develop a broader approach to what it described as Islamist ‘entryism’ and consider terrorism designations where legal requirements are met.

The European Parliament’s resolution does not establish any coordination with Egypt over the court’s decision.

Under Egyptian legislation, the designation carries restrictions on membership, promotion and participation in certain civil, professional and organisational activities involving the listed entities.

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