US Lawmakers Reintroduce Bill to Designate Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organization

Washington D.C. – U.S. Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL-26) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL-23) have reintroduced the Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2025, aiming to officially classify the transnational Islamist organization as a terrorist group. This bipartisan legislative effort underscores growing international concern, as highlighted by a recent social media post from Visegrád 24, which stated, "> The Muslim Brotherhood is one of the most dangerous organisations in the world today."

The proposed bill directs the President and Secretary of State to utilize statutory authority to sanction the Muslim Brotherhood, including its global entity and any branches involved in terrorism. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), who introduced a companion bill, emphasized the organization's alleged support for groups like Hamas, which he noted committed "the worst single-day massacre of Jews since the Holocaust" on October 7.

Several nations have already designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, including Egypt (2013), Saudi Arabia (2014), Bahrain (2014), the United Arab Emirates (2014), Russia (2003), Kazakhstan (2005), and Tajikistan (2006). These countries often cite the group's alleged involvement in destabilizing regional politics and supporting extremist narratives.

Founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood initially aimed to preach Islam, provide social services, and end British colonial control. While it later advanced into the political arena, its self-stated goal is the establishment of a state ruled by Sharia law under a caliphate, with its most famous slogan being "Islam is the solution." The organization has faced successive government crackdowns and periods of being outlawed in Egypt.

Critics, including some US lawmakers, argue that despite officially renouncing violence in the 1970s, the Muslim Brotherhood's actions and support for various militant groups, such as Hamas, undermine its claims of peaceful intent. They contend that the organization poses a direct threat to national security interests through its radical jihadist ideology.

Conversely, the Muslim Brotherhood maintains it is a peaceful, democratic organization, with its English-language website outlining principles such as freedom of personal conviction, opinion, and support for free and fair elections. Past U.S. administrations, including those of George W. Bush and Barack Obama, investigated but ultimately decided against designating the group as a whole a Foreign Terrorist Organization, citing a lack of evidence for direct material involvement in terrorism and concerns about fueling extremism.