“The Muslim Brotherhood in Germany and Europe” was the topic of the discussion with the internationally renowned expert Dr Lorenzo G. Vidino (George Washington University). At “Fach-WI-ssen – the WerteInitiative’s political breakfast”, Vidino traced the ideological and strategic core of the Muslim Brotherhood. We are delighted at the lively interest in the event from politics and civil society.
Afterwards, we held numerous talks with those responsible in parliamentary groups and public authorities. We agreed that more attention must be devoted to the problem. The Muslim Brotherhood’s form of organisation is designed to conceal its activities. That makes it complicated for policymakers to reliably identify these anti-democrats.
Christoph de Vries (CDU): “The Muslim Brotherhood is attempting, albeit by legalistic means, to subvert and abolish our liberal democracy. Political decision-makers should be very careful not to enhance the standing of Muslim Brotherhood representatives by meeting them.”
Benjamin Strasser (FDP): “The Muslim Brotherhood claims to represent the entire Muslim community. This is completely wrong, both in substance and in organisational terms. We urgently need to strengthen liberal Muslims in order to push back the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood.”
State Secretary Stephan Mayer (CDU): “Politics needs clear concepts for action against Islamism. This also includes the Muslim Brotherhood. Anti-democratic, anti-modern and antisemitic attitudes must also be taken seriously in the case of legalists. It is not enough to distance oneself verbally from violence.”
Our chairman, Elio Adler: “Islamists in business suits and with a tie around their neck are in some respects more dangerous than those with an explosive belt. They work on a longer-term basis, more inconspicuously, in a way that is easier to connect with – and are therefore also more successful.”
