ISGAP Alleges Brotherhood Networks Embedded Across Canadian Institutions

The latest

Muslim Brotherhood-aligned networks are pursuing a structured transnational strategy to build influence across Canadian government, civil society and higher education, the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy alleged. The 200-page study describes interconnected activity spanning mosques, charities, schools, universities, advocacy groups, student organizations and professional networks, framing it as long-term ideological and institutional entrenchment rather than isolated activity.

Details

• Four-part strategy: ISGAP identifies narrative development, institutional embedding, political mobilization and what it calls legal framework manipulation. The final category includes litigation, procedural challenges and reputational pressure. The institute argues that these domains reinforce one another, helping networks acquire institutional access, legitimacy and political protection.
• University focus: Case studies cover the University of Toronto, York University, Toronto Metropolitan University and the University of Waterloo. The study raises concerns about foreign-funding transparency, research agreements, potential dual-use applications and campus political mobilization. It calls the University of Toronto a central node for developing and spreading anti-Israel narratives.
• Campus organizations: The study describes links among Muslim Students’ Associations, Students for Justice in Palestine and the Palestinian Youth Movement, alongside faculty support and outside resources. MSA National says it has chapters at more than 600 North American colleges and universities. The University of Toronto Faculty Association voted for divestment from Israel.
• Qatari-linked funding: Qatar National Research Fund-backed projects at the University of Toronto cover solar energy, corrosion modelling, carbon systems and secure communications. Qatari state-linked funding at Waterloo exceeds C$3.8 million across smart grids, energy infrastructure, high-voltage insulation and hydrocarbon-related environmental systems aligned with Qatar’s priorities.
• Academic partnerships: Toronto Metropolitan University signed a memorandum with the Qatar-owned University of Doha for Science and Technology covering joint programming, research and a business incubator operated with TMU’s Digital Media Zone. ISGAP argues that Qatari funding, limited disclosure and organizations it associates with Brotherhood networks create an avenue for foreign ideological influence.
• Political scrutiny: The study says mobilization around Israel and the Palestinian issue can influence candidates, policymakers and public debate. It cites the Canada Revenue Agency’s audit of the Muslim Association of Canada. A 2025 review by Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Review Agency found insufficient rigor in audit selection and risks of bias and discrimination toward Muslim charities.
• Defined scope: ISGAP limits its allegations to Islamism as a political ideology, rather than Islam as a religion, Muslim organizations generally or Canadian Muslims as a community. Executive director Charles Asher Small said interconnected networks gain legitimacy, institutional access, public funding, political influence and protection from scrutiny.

Background

ISGAP is a research and advocacy institute focused on antisemitism and extremism, with previous work on political Islam and foreign influence. Its analysis describes Muslim Brotherhood patronage as a cornerstone of Qatar’s foreign and domestic policy.

What’s next

The next indicator will be any Canadian government decision introducing disclosure rules for foreign funding, political advocacy or organizational affiliations, or establishing formal coordination with the United States on monitoring Muslim Brotherhood-linked networks.