Muslim Brotherhood networks embedded into Canadian politics, schools, report says

A new report by the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) alleges that Muslim Brotherhood-aligned networks in Canada operate as a coordinated strategy to gain influence across government, civil society, and higher education. The 200-page report claims these networks are "part of a structured transnational strategy of ideological entrenchment, institutional embedding, narrative control, and political and legal protection." It focuses on "Islamism as a political ideology" rather than Islam as a religion. The report identifies four domains of this strategy: narrative development, institutional embedding (including mosques, charities, and universities), policy impact and political mobilization, and "legal framework manipulation."

• Higher education is highlighted as a central arena for foreign funding and ideological influence, with case studies including the University of Toronto, York University, Toronto Metropolitan University, and the University of Waterloo.
• Concerns are raised about foreign-funding transparency, particularly regarding Qatari-linked academic engagement at Canadian universities.
• The report also examines political mobilization around the Israel-Palestinian issue, arguing that Islamist-linked networks seek to influence Canadian politics and that concerns about Islamophobia have sometimes been used to deflect scrutiny.
• ISGAP recommends greater transparency in political advocacy, foreign funding, and organizational affiliations, and calls for a coordinated response with the U.S. government to monitor and confront these networks. Dr. Charles Asher Small, Executive Director of ISGAP, stated, "The report maps how interconnected ideological networks acquire legitimacy, institutional access, public funding, political influence, and protection from scrutiny."