Report warns Muslim Brotherhood-linked groups in Spain exploiting integration funds

A media report has cautioned that organizations connected to the Muslim Brotherhood in Spain are exploiting government integration funds to broaden their influence. This warning emerges as Europe grapples with the growing presence of political Islam in societal institutions and questions the adequacy of monitoring public funding for associations to prevent misuse for political or ideological purposes.

According to a report by the Visegrád 24 platform, cited by Al Arabiya, Brotherhood-linked groups in Spain have received financial support from national, regional, and local governments through integration, interfaith dialogue, and community projects. The report highlights the scrutiny on cooperation with Islamic Relief Spain and Human Appeal Spain, suggesting that these ties have bolstered the Brotherhood's public presence by granting access to local communities and positioning affiliated groups as moderate reference associations.

The article notes that Spain's Brotherhood receives less attention compared to other European countries like the UK, France, Germany, and Belgium. It also mentions the historical vision of the Brotherhood's supporters for a return to the Andalusian Empire, the former Islamic name for the Iberian Peninsula. Counterterrorism experts, including José María Zuloaga, have previously warned of a "hidden threat" posed by the Brotherhood, which seeks to infiltrate Spanish society through a network of institutions over the medium to long term.

Zuloaga points to Catalonia as an example, alleging that the Brotherhood has exploited legal loopholes to enhance its influence within the local Muslim community.