British universities 'being radicalised by Muslim Brotherhood' with even Muslim countries concerned about UK Islamism

The Muslim Brotherhood operates under the mantra that "Islam is the solution" with the self-stated aim of establishing states ruled by sharia law.

It was the subject of a British government inquiry in 2014, after concerns were lodged by the United Arab Emirates.

That review, conducted by Sir John Jenkins, the former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, determined that whilst the group’s beliefs ran contrary to British values, insufficient evidence existed to justify proscription.

The current Government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, indicated last year that the matter remains under "close review", though no ban has materialised.

Official UK figures reveal that during the 2023-24 academic year, 70 university students were flagged for potential referral to the Prevent deradicalisation programme over Islamist radicalisation concerns.

This was nearly double the preceding year's total, drawn from a student population approaching three million.

As concerns mount over the influence of the organisation in Britain’s top colleges, Emirati officials have removed British universities from their official list of institutions eligible for state-funded scholarships.

In its decision, the Gulf state cited fears of Islamist radicalisation affecting UK campuses.

The UAE's higher education ministry published a revised roster of approved overseas universities in June, featuring institutions from the United States, Australia, France and Israel, whilst conspicuously omitting any British establishments.

When British officials sought clarification regarding the absence of UK institutions, their Emirati counterparts made clear the exclusion was intentional rather than an oversight.

"They don't want their kids to be radicalised on campus," one insider familiar with the exchange told The Times.

Just 213 study visas were granted to UAE nationals in the year ending September 2025, representing a 27 per cent drop compared with the previous twelve months and a 55 per cent fall since 2022.

Abu Dhabi has additionally stated it will refuse to recognise qualifications from universities absent from its approved roster, effectively diminishing the worth of British degrees for Emirati graduates.

The UAE has adopted an uncompromising stance against Islamist movements both domestically and internationally since the Arab uprisings of 2011.

Under President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the Emirates has repeatedly pressed Britain to outlaw the Muslim Brotherhood, which Abu Dhabi classifies as a terrorist organisation.

US authorities have registered offshoots and individuals connected to the movement as terrorists, but have not made the same determination about the group as a whole.

Meanwhile, in France, President Emmanuel Macron has ordered his government to set out means to combat the influence and the spread of political Islam in May last year.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has pledged to prohibit the Muslim Brotherhood, should he become Prime Minister.

Speaking at the Reform UK conference in Birmingham this week, Mr Farage declared his party will "stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country", mentioning the Muslim Brotherhood as an example.

He added: "Quite why we have been so gutless about this, both Conservative and Labour, I do not know.

"All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same."

GB News has approached the Muslim Brotherhood for comment.

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