Perhaps the most common criticism leveled at the GMBDW is our use of the term “Global Muslim Brotherhood” which we employ as explained in our faq:
We use the term “Global Muslim Brotherhood” as a shorthand to refer to this global network, which in fact is a closed group of people who work together on closely connected organizations, with interlocking directorships, around the world. A close examination of our work validates this practical approach.
Over the years, our critics have leveled various accusations against this concept, calling it a “Hollywood Fiction” or labeling it a “myth.” In light of these criticisms, we should explain that before we identify and individual and/or organization as part of the Global Muslim Brotherhood, we carefully examine the relevant considerations such as the background, affiliations, statements, conference participation and other such data pertaining to the question at hand. It has come to our attention that one individual so identified has made the rare admission that he is, in fact, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. In November 2008, we posted a story on a seminar on womens’ issues at the European Parliament which we said ” featured leaders of the European Muslim Brotherhood” and identified Michael Privot, director of the European Network Against racism (ENAR), as one of those Brotherhood leaders. As that post noted:
Michael Privot
Another NEFA report discusses the Brotherhood ties of Michael Privot which include serving as an officer for the Federation of Muslim Youth and Student Organizations (FEMYSO), the youth division of FIOE Over the years, FEMYSO has developed a relationship with both the Council of Europe and the European Commission where it has been invited since 2003 to attend meetings of the Group of Policy Advisers (GOPA). One of the important leaders of FEMYSO over the years has been Ibrahim El-Zayat, the leader of the Islamische Gemeinschaft in Deutschland known to represent the Muslim Brotherhood in Germany.
A recent Belgian media report announced an online Q&A session to be held with Michael Privot who is described as “an Islamologist and a member of the Musllim Brotherhood”:
Monday February 27, 2012 “May we still criticize Islam?” In the context of our dossier “May we still criticize Islam?”, ask your questions to Michaël Privot, an Islamologist and a member of the Musllim Brotherhood on Tuesday February 28 between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM (Belgium Time). You can already send your messages to the following address: newsroom@roularta.be.
Further research revealed that Mr. Privot had acknowledged his affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood in a June 2008 Belgian newspaper report in which he obliquely refers to the NEFA report cited above and which had been published only two months earlier. The title of that newspaper article translates roughly to “Muslim Brothers: The Hour of their Coming Out.” We consider Mr. Privot’s admission a further vindication of our work and can only speculate if his admission is the harbinger of more such to come as the Global Muslim Brotherhood is being legitimized in light of developments in the Middle East. We can only wonder about the policies of the Council of Europe and the European Commission who would allow an agent of a foreign, covert organization to participate in policy discussions without disclosing his affiliation.
