Washington, DC – While the Trump administration has taken the step of designating foreign branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations,
a move seen as a firm stance against extremist ideology, recent reports indicate
that the group’s influence extends closer to home.
Specifically, their influence is now within the halls of universities and academic institutions.
This influence is concentrated in Middle East studies programs at prestigious universities.
Most notably, Georgetown University in Washington, DC is affected.
Documents and research reports indicate that the university’s Center for Islamic Studies
has, for years, hosted figures associated with movements influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood.
This has contributed to the shaping of research and policy frameworks that directly reach decision-makers in Washington.
malicious foreign influence
In July 2025, the Middle East Forum, a non-profit organization that aims to support American interests
and Western values in the region, released a report describing the Georgetown Center for Islamic Studies
as “ground zero for malign foreign influence from Qatar, Turkey, and Malaysia.”
The report explained that the university received substantial funding from institutions
and governments influenced by or aligned with networks linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Most notably, this includes the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIR) and Qatar,
which has historically supported figures and institutions associated with the group.
Hidden launching base
The report indicates that IIIR, founded by Muslim Brotherhood leaders in the United States, donated over $1 million to Georgetown.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Education database shows
that the university received nearly $1 billion from the Qatari government.
Although the university did not receive direct donations from the Muslim Brotherhood,
the funding and academic activities associated with these networks have raised concerns
about their influence on academic research and the shaping of U.S. policy in the Middle East.
This influence could potentially make American universities a quiet bridgehead for the group within the United States.
