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- calendar_today October 19, 2026
ISGAP Report Claims Widespread Muslim Brotherhood Influence in Canada
The Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) has released a 200-page report asserting that the Muslim Brotherhood is working to infiltrate Canadian institutions, including universities and non-profit organizations. According to ISGAP founder Charles Small, these efforts have gone "under the radar" and are framed as part of a larger, transnational ideological campaign.
Allegations of Entryism and Ideological Strategy
The report accuses the Muslim Brotherhood and affiliated organizations of employing strategies such as entryism—an approach focusing on changing institutions from within. ISGAP claims these organizations use pro-Palestinian activism and anti-Islamophobia narratives to influence Canadian society and foment antisemitism. The study suggests that many of these groups are financed through intricate channels involving Qatar and are active at leading Canadian universities.
Response from Targeted Organizations
Canadian Muslim organizations identified in the report have sharply denied the allegations. The Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC) was named for allegedly mobilizing Muslim voting blocks based on stances toward Palestine and Islamophobia. CMPAC Executive Director Khaled al-Qazzaz’s past association as foreign affairs secretary to former Egyptian president Mohamed Morsi is also cited. CMPAC responded that it has "no ties with any foreign entity" and characterizes the ISGAP report as "Islamophobic propaganda" rather than legitimate research. CMPAC also stated it is funded solely through Canadian sources and is deeply concerned about rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, and hate.
The Canadian-Muslim Vote (TCMV), another charity mentioned by ISGAP, rejected the report as "inflammatory." TCMV's lawyer confirmed that a notice of libel has been sent to ISGAP, seeking a retraction. TCMV’s official stance is that the organization’s activities encourage civic engagement among Canadian Muslims, not targeting specific ridings or endorsing particular political stances as alleged.
Canadian Universities and Foreign Funding Concerns
The ISGAP report highlights universities such as the University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, and Toronto Metropolitan University, referencing issues like limited foreign funding disclosure and the use of campus platforms for activism. It claims Qatari funding, through bodies like the Qatar Investment Fund and Qatar National Research Fund, has supported research in strategic fields without adequate transparency concerning intellectual property and contract terms.
Responding to these claims, a University of Toronto spokesperson confirmed receipt of $1.76 million in QNRF grants over a decade, constituting just 0.01% of the institution’s total research funding during that period. The spokesperson emphasized adherence to policies that protect research integrity and compliance with Canadian laws. The University of Waterloo also stated its commitment to safeguarding research and following government security guidelines. Toronto Metropolitan University did not provide a response.
Canadian Charities Scrutinized
The Muslim Association of Canada (MAC) is noted in the report as a prominent example of a non-profit allegedly sympathetic to Muslim Brotherhood interests. According to a preliminary Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) audit, released in part, some MAC leaders were involved in Brotherhood activities and there was significant growth in MAC’s property holdings. MAC has denied any organizational links to the Muslim Brotherhood, arguing that the ISGAP report recycles discredited and biased allegations. The final audit result was not made public, but MAC retains its charitable status.
Broader Policy Debates and Calls for Oversight
ISGAP calls for stricter oversight of academic collaborations, more auditing powers for non-profits, and more robust foreign funding transparency for universities. Policymakers are facing calls from some advocacy groups to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization in Canada, as is the case in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and now parts of the United States. However, experts such as Thomas Juneau at the University of Ottawa caution that while some Brotherhood chapters are linked to terrorism, many others are not, highlighting the complexity of such designations.
The report reignites debate about the intersection of foreign influence, political mobilization in Canada, and the role of Canadian Muslim organizations amid ongoing discussions about antisemitism, Islamophobia, and multicultural policy.
Source: nationalpost.com.
