A new move targeting the Muslim Brotherhood’s networks in Germany
Germany is entering a phase of transparency in its efforts to counter the Muslim Brotherhood, following an urgent parliamentary initiative calling for an investigation into the funding of structures linked to the movement.
In this context, the Alternative for Germany Party (AfD), the second-largest parliamentary bloc in the Bundestag, submitted an urgent inquiry to the government regarding public funding granted to projects managed by entities associated with the Muslim Brotherhood.
In the introduction to the inquiry, the AfD parliamentary group stated that the federal government has supported for years organisations active in promoting democracy, integration, and combating discrimination. Among these are the Alliance against Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate (CLAIM), the Network of New German Organisations, regional partners such as Teilseiend e. V., and the Islamic Academy of Heidelberg.
The group stressed that public subsidies may only be granted to private projects when there is a significant federal interest, in accordance with Article 23 of the Federal Budget Act. Therefore, the financing of these organisations requires extensive parliamentary investigation.
The first question posed to the government concerns the federal grants received since 2015 by CLAIM, the Network of New German Organisations, the Islamic Academy of Heidelberg or any directly or indirectly affiliated entities.
Another question asks what important federal interest justifies these grants according to Article 23.
The inquiry also asks whether these organisations have received European Union funding since 2015.
This initiative reopens a sensitive file in Germany: the funding of organisations operating in a grey zone, not officially linked to the Muslim Brotherhood but functioning within its network and implementing its strategy using public funds allocated to programmes on democracy and integration.
Previous financial tracing
A previous note sent by the government to Parliament revealed that CLAIM, the most prominent organisation mentioned, had received federal funding between January 2017 and September 2022 for several projects, including MoTech, which aims to enhance school culture, and the “Living Democracy” programme.
According to this note, CLAIM received approximately €70,000 from the Ministry of the Interior in 2021 for a project combating hostility towards Islam.
The Federal Commissioner for Migration and Integration also supported CLAIM’s 2022 project “This is anti-Muslim racism” with a budget of €55,000.
Regarding the “Living Democracy” programme, the note explained that it funds events aligned with its goals of strengthening democracy, making it difficult to identify specific expenditures.
Moreover, a report by Die Welt stated that CLAIM received €728,000 from the Ministry of Family Affairs between 2017 and 2019.
The organisation also received a total of €960,000 in 2020 and 2021 as part of the ministry’s network for combating Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate.
According to previous findings, CLAIM received around €555,000 in 2022 from the same ministry under the “Living Democracy” programme.
Origin of CLAIM
An investigation had shown how the Muslim Brotherhood manages CLAIM behind the scenes to promote its ideology in Germany.
The network’s emergence was driven partly by the association Insan, an NGO strongly linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Mohammed Hajjaj, executive director of Insan, is also vice-president of the Taiba Cultural Centre, which German domestic intelligence identifies as part of the Brotherhood’s network.
Another key figure linking Insan and CLAIM is Nina Mouhe, a board member of Insan and the main coordinator of CLAIM, perceived as a moderated public face of the movement in Germany.
The Brotherhood uses CLAIM to attack its critics, portray opposition as discriminatory, and apply pressure on the German government by invoking victimisation narratives.
Investigations into CLAIM and its ties to the Brotherhood prompted three formal information requests filed in the North Rhine–Westphalia regional parliament between July 2020 and February 2021.
In its response, the regional government confirmed that three organisations within CLAIM had links with the Muslim Brotherhood, without naming them.
Besides Insan, these included German Muslim Youth—identified as part of the Brotherhood’s network and affiliated with FIMESO, their umbrella organisation in Europe—and the Islamic Centre for Girls, Women and Families, known as Rahma.
