The United States is poised to take a major step in its fight against radical Islamism, as it edges closer to designating the Muslim Brotherhood as an official terrorist organization—a move with significant implications for both American security and international counter-terror efforts.
A Rare Bipartisan Push
The renewed drive comes on the heels of a bipartisan bill introduced in mid-July by Republican Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart and Democratic Congressman Jared Moskowitz. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the proposed designation, signaling rare cross-party consensus on the issue.
Washington’s influential policy experts—including the Heritage Foundation, the Israeli-American Civic Action Network (ICAN), and the American Mideast Coalition for Democracy (AMCD)—have thrown their weight behind the bill. These groups stress that the Brotherhood maintains a sophisticated dual image: projecting itself as a modern political movement while working behind the scenes to fund, inspire, and support violent extremist networks.
“Ideological Mothership” for Global Jihad?
As reported by The Capitol Institute, the growing support among US lawmakers stems from a heightened recognition of the Muslim Brotherhood as the ideological mothership for a sprawling network of violent Islamist actors, from Hamas to Al-Qaeda offshoots.
Senator Ted Cruz has consistently backed legislation targeting the Brotherhood since 2015. He argues that naming the group a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) is not just symbolic, but a strategic necessity. “The Brotherhood serves as an ideological incubator for terrorism,” Cruz asserts, echoing calls for a comprehensive crackdown.
Historical Roots and Global Reach
Founded in Cairo in 1928 by Egyptian preacher Hassan al-Banna, the Brotherhood reimagined political Islam, shifting Muslim identity from traditional monotheism (Tawheed) toward the creation of a Caliphate—even at the cost of rebelling against established governments. After al-Banna’s 1949 assassination, Sayyid Qutb shaped the Brotherhood’s radical ideology. His writings influenced future jihadist movements, inspiring the Iranian Revolution, Al-Qaeda, and ISIS.
Notably, Osama bin Laden’s radicalization began under Abdullah Azzam, a Palestinian Brotherhood member, while Al-Qaeda’s Ayman al-Zawahiri also passed through the Brotherhood’s ranks.
Backlash and Bans
The Brotherhood now faces growing resistance not just from Western governments, but also prominent Islamic scholars. Figures like Saudi Arabia’s Shaykh Rabee bin Hadee al-Madkhali and India’s Shaykh Mohammed Rahmani have denounced the organization, warning of its destabilizing influence.
Several Middle Eastern countries—including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan—have banned the Brotherhood for threatening national security and promoting radicalization. Other states like Russia, Austria, and Germany have also taken steps to limit its operations.
The US’ Next Move
While the US has already classified Hamas—a Brotherhood affiliate—as a terrorist organization, it has thus far refrained from targeting the group’s ideological root. Policy experts warn that allowing the Brotherhood to operate through advocacy groups and educational fronts in America presents ongoing risks.
As the Capitol Institute’s report concludes, trimming the violent offshoots without eradicating the Brotherhood’s “root system” is akin to “trimming weeds while allowing the roots to spread underground.”
A formal US terrorist designation could mark a watershed moment, leading to a broader crackdown on political Islamism’s infrastructure not just in America, but worldwide.
