By: Shamsa Aref Al Qubaisi*
The sixth edition of the TRENDS Annual Forum on political Islam took place in two of Europe's most prominent legislative chambers this week, bringing together some 40 parliamentarians, former ministers, diplomats, security specialists and researchers under a shared theme: "A United European Response to the Muslim Brotherhood Threat."
The first part convened on September 8 in the House of Lords. Chaired by the UK Government's Adviser on Political Violence and Disruption, the London panel featured 24 speakers, including members of the House of Lords, the Chairman of the 1922 Committee, the Deputy Leader of Reform UK, a former Chancellor of the Exchequer and several former ministers and MPs, alongside academics, security practitioners and TRENDS researchers.
On the sidelines, TRENDS also held talks with a former Deputy Prime Minister. The two London sessions examined the Muslim Brotherhood's ideology and networks in Europe and their impact on social cohesion and security, and then compared national and international policy responses.
On September 10, the forum moved to the Salle Monory of the Palais du Luxembourg, home of the French Senate. The Paris programme, which was opened by a current French senator, had 18 speakers, including a former Vice-President of the Senate's European Affairs Committee, a former British diplomat, French academics and experts in education, digital policy and financial investigation. The sessions covered European institutional coordination, the online Islamist landscape and countering terrorist financing.
Why this knowledge matters now
A recurring message in both capitals was that these movements have adapted faster than the policy frameworks built to address them: generationally, institutionally and now technologically.
European allies who cooperate closely on nearly every other security issue continue to take rather divergent stances. Speakers stressed that closing this gap depends on shared, rigorous knowledge: that research policymakers can trust, that clearly distinguishes ideology from faith, and that reaches beyond specialist circles.
By bringing the discussion directly into the legislative chambers, the forum sought to ensure Europe's understanding keeps pace with the challenge.
When it comes to producing that knowledge, TRENDS carries particular weight. Over years of dedicated work, it has built a body of research on political Islam with few parallels, from its research encyclopedia on the subject to its annual International Index on Muslim Brotherhood Influence, alongside a steady stream of studies and policy papers. When policymakers inquire about the nature of these movements, how they operate and where they are heading, few institutions can provide such insight.
That expertise matters now more than ever. The forum's message was clear: understanding must reach the regions of the world that need it most: from parliaments and ministries to classrooms, online spaces and the communities most affected.
It was a significant step to bring this research to Westminster and the French Senate, and TRENDS is committed to carrying it further, sharing its knowledge wherever it can help build more informed, cohesive and resilient societies.
*Researcher at TRENDS Research & Advisory