Olia, an American Jew and former political refugee, is a writer and a prominent voice on extremism, freedom, and the protection of democratic values. In an exclusive interview, she shared her views on the implications of France’s decision to dissolve the European Institute of Human Sciences (IESH), the tactics of the Muslim Brotherhood, and the global response to their covert activities.
Implications of Closing the European Institute of Human Sciences in France
Question: What are the main implications of the decision to close the European Institute of Human Sciences in France?
Olia: France’s dissolution of IESH on September 3, 2025, directly targets Muslim Brotherhood-linked radicalism by halting imam training that promotes jihad and separatism.
It also freezes Qatari-funded assets under anti-separatism laws, setting a precedent against Islamist networks and curbing their influence in mosques across the country.
The move signals a broader European commitment to dismantling extremist educational structures that disguise ideology as scholarship.
Olia on the Brotherhood’s Academic Strategy
Question: How has the Muslim Brotherhood managed to use academic institutions as a cover for its ideological activities?
Olia: The Muslim Brotherhood strategically uses institutions like IESH as legitimate fronts to disguise their radical teachings. While presenting themselves as centers of theology and imam training, these institutions embed content that promotes violence, strict Sharia interpretations, and social division.
Through networks such as the Federation of Islamic Organizations in Europe and with heavy Qatari funding, they recruit leaders who can subtly shape European Muslim communities toward separatism.
By blending ideology with education, the Brotherhood has managed to operate beneath the radar for years.
International Efforts to Counter the Brotherhood’s Hidden Trainings
Question: What role do Israel and other countries play in preventing the Brotherhood from conducting these secret trainings
Olia: Israel plays a central role by sharing intelligence and disrupting financial pipelines connected to Brotherhood affiliates like Hamas, indirectly reinforcing European measures such as France’s closure of IESH.
Other nations, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, have been pivotal, labeling the Brotherhood as a terrorist group and using financial tracking, diplomatic pressure, and intelligence to expose foreign-funded fronts.
Meanwhile, European allies like Germany and Belgium assist through cross-border monitoring, though the challenge remains in detecting covert operations that blend seamlessly with legitimate educational activity. Global cooperation is essential in dismantling these hidden networks.
