The European People’s Party (EPP), one of Europe’s most influential political alliances, has been accused of paving the way to view Muslims’ civic activities and collective religious practice with suspicion. According to a report by Middle East Eye, a proposal titled “Political Islam’s interference in European democratic processes” was adopted at the party’s political assembly in Vienna in late June this year. The proposal emphasises identifying and monitoring networks of Muslim organisations to prevent “political Islam” and “Islamist infiltration,” and also calls for monitoring foreign funding and halting European Union support for so-called “extremist movements.”
Critics say the proposal reflects the policy of Germany’s Christian Democrats toward confronting “political Islam.” Even where no violent activity has occurred, it creates scope for restrictions to be imposed on Muslim institutions merely over alleged association with so-called “political Islam.” There is concern this could also bring under suspicion Muslims who are active in civil society and outspoken against racism. The EPP, however, presents the proposal as an initiative to protect democracy, individual liberty and religious freedom. The party’s proposal describes “Islamist infiltration” as a strategy of gradually entering institutions, political parties and administrations to influence democratic systems, citing the Muslim Brotherhood and its affiliated organisations as an example.
The report notes a precedent in Vienna’s government-backed “Islam Map” project, which published information on Austria’s Muslim organisations on a digital map, and recalls that the 2020 “Operation Luxor” raid also drew widespread criticism. Critics fear the new proposal could also put pressure on the funding and activities of organisations that work against Islamophobia.