The Dutch parliament has voted to ban the Muslim Brotherhood, marking a significant escalation in efforts to counter Islamist influence in Europe.
The motion, backed by a majority of MPs on Tuesday, also calls for action against “affiliated organisations” linked to the group. This follows a wider European campaign scrutinising the ‘Brotherhood’s’ work—albeit, far less focussed than in the U.S.
The proposal was brought forward by PVV’s Geert Wilders, who pointed to “the subtle, long-term infiltration of the Muslim Brotherhood, with the ultimate goal of an Islamic empire based on Sharia.”
A similar vote, also introduced by Wilders, failed last October by just two votes.
Dutch writer Hans van Tellingen said Tuesday’s vote was “the best news of the year,” describing the organisation as “the source of much of the Islamist and terrorist evil.”
And Esther Voet, who edits the Dutch Jewish Weekly NIW, said: “Finally.”
Sweden Democrats MEP Charlie Weimers also on Wednesday responded positively to the news, asking: “Why should we allow organisations who want to destroy our societies and enslave us?”
Weimers’ party has likewise encouraged government officials in Sweden to keep a closer watch on what even the Liberal Party has described as “Islamist infiltration” in the country. He has long insisted that the European Union must also “follow suit.”
At the same time as the Netherlands backed banning the Muslim Brotherhood, the Sweden Democrats called for the immediate halting of state funding to organisations “with ties to the [Iranian] mullah regime,” adding:
The government needs to take action to put a stop to Iran’s violence and terrorist activities in Sweden.
Michael Curzon is a news writer for europeanconservative.com based in England’s Midlands. He is also Editor of Bournbrook Magazine, which he founded in 2019, and previously wrote for London’s Express Online. His Twitter handle is @MichaelCurzon_.
