Trump's Major Move Against Muslim Brotherhood
In a significant national security decision, President Donald Trump revealed on Saturday his administration's intention to officially classify the Muslim Brotherhood as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation. The announcement marks a crucial step against the nearly century-old Islamist group that has been frequently accused of creating instability across the Middle East region.
"It will be done in the strongest and most powerful terms. Final documents are being drawn," President Trump confirmed regarding the impending designation.
Background and Political Support
This action has been under consideration since Trump's first term in office, demonstrating the administration's consistent approach toward the organization. The move received support from prominent Republican figures, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who recently labeled both the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as "foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations."
CAIR has strongly opposed this characterization and has taken legal action against the Texas government. According to Politico, CAIR claims that Governor Abbott's proclamation, which prevents its members from purchasing property in Texas, violates constitutional rights to property and free speech.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated in August that the terrorist designation for Muslim Brotherhood was "in the works" but emphasized the complexity of the process due to the organization's numerous branches and affiliates that require individual assessment.
White House Position and International Context
The White House clarified the administration's stance, stating that President Trump is directly confronting the Muslim Brotherhood's transnational network, which they believe fuels terrorism and destabilization campaigns targeting US interests and allies throughout the Middle East.
The Muslim Brotherhood has previously resisted such designations. In 2019, when facing potential terrorism classification during Trump's first administration, the organization declared they would "remain steadfast in our work in accordance with our moderate and peaceful thinking" and continue their "honest and constructive cooperation to serve the communities in which we live and humanity as a whole."
The group, established in Egypt in 1928 by Sunni imam Hassan al-Banna, aims to create an Islamic state governed by sharia law. A prominent historical figure, Sayyid Qutb, who led the Muslim Brotherhood from the 1940s through the 1960s, developed revolutionary ideologies that reportedly influenced later jihadists including Osama bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri.
The organization's motto clearly states: "Allah is our objective. The Prophet is our leader. The Qur'an is our law. Jihad is our way. Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope."
International Recognition and US Security Concerns
Díaz-Balart highlighted that "the global Muslim Brotherhood has numerous regional branches, including terrorist organizations such as Hamas, and spreads violence and instability throughout the Middle East." He stressed the importance of preventing US funds from supporting the group's activities and blocking its members from entering the United States.
Internationally, the Muslim Brotherhood faces restrictions in several countries. According to BBC reports, the organization is banned in both Jordan and Egypt, while Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain have officially designated it as a terrorist organisation.
This designation represents one of the Trump administration's final significant foreign policy moves, potentially shaping US-Middle East relations for years to come and establishing a stronger stance against Islamist organizations operating globally.
