MEF Dispatch: Europe Digs Its Own Grave to Appease Islamists

MEF Dispatch: Europe Digs Its Own Grave to Appease Islamists

By Ahnaf Kalam ● Feb 18, 2025

Smart Brevity® count: 5.5 mins...1478 words

In this edition, we announce MEF’s strategic AI partnership with Artorias, a game-changing collaboration that enhances real-time intelligence gathering. We examine the growing Islamist threat to free speech in Europe, from Sweden’s failure to protect dissidents to the U.K.’s dangerous policing of political expression. Finally, we take a deep dive into the Muslim Council of Britain’s tonal shift and the troubling embrace of convicted terrorists by European cities.

News: Middle East Forum and Artorias Announce Strategic AI Partnership

The Middle East Forum (MEF) and Artorias, an AI-driven intelligence firm, have announced a strategic partnership to revolutionize Middle Eastern analysis and intelligence gathering. This collaboration combines Artorias's advanced AI-driven platform with MEF’s regional expertise, providing policymakers with real-time, data-driven insights and enhanced geopolitical monitoring capabilities. The partnership aims to deliver fast, actionable intelligence by synthesizing vast amounts of data from diverse sources, including satellite imagery, social media, and local news outlets, and validating it with MEF’s expert analysis.

This cutting-edge approach to intelligence will improve situational awareness for governments, security agencies, and industry leaders. By leveraging Artorias’s ability to scan thousands of information sources per minute and MEF’s contextual expertise, the partnership provides timely and comprehensive reports, ensuring better-informed decision-making. MEF and Artorias plan to continue refining their integrated platform, with a focus on predictive modeling and risk scenarios, further enhancing global monitoring and reporting on Middle Eastern affairs.

To learn more about the partnership, click here.

Islamist Leader Who Promoted Division in U.K. Now All Sweetness and Light

Wajid Akhter, the newly-elected leader of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), shifts from his usual radical Islamist rhetoric to a conciliatory tone, aiming to make the MCB appear more mainstream.

Akhter’s conciliatory debut: In his inaugural speech, Akhter emphasized "building bridges, not barriers," marking a significant shift from his prior extremist stance.

This approach, on the surface, aims to align the MCB with broader British societal values, distancing itself from its radical past.

Akhter's communications reset is likely a response to a decline in MCB’s fortunes since the October 7 massacre..

Historical baggage: The MCB has a controversial history, with ties to radical organizations and past opposition to counter-terrorism strategies.

Akhter’s new direction seeks to overcome these challenges by promoting the appearance of a more mainstream narrative of integration and cooperation.

Looking ahead: Whether the government is susceptible to this belatedly constructive rhetoric, despite the MCB’s storied history of extremist links, is open to question.

Akhter said the lesson he took from the Battle of Badr fought by Islam’s prophet Mohammed is that “It’s important that you control the narrative, it’s important that you control the moral high ground.”

To read the full article, click here.

Job Announcement: Director, Iran Freedom Project & Editor, Iran Freedom Monitor

MEF is seeking a full-time Director for the Iran Freedom Project & Editor for the Iran Freedom Monitor. This unique dual role is ideal for a driven professional passionate about democratic reform, skilled in program leadership, and adept at shaping editorial content. The position provides an opportunity to spearhead a high-impact initiative focused on empowering Iranian civil society while overseeing a dedicated news platform that amplifies calls for democratic change in Iran.

For more information about the Iran Freedom Project or to apply, click here.

The Islamist Threat to Free Speech in Sweden and the U.K.

Sweden sacrifices free speech: The killing of Salwan Momika, an Iraqi refugee, after his Qur'an burning protest, highlights Sweden's failure to protect dissidents from Islamist threats.

By revoking his residency, Swedish authorities prioritized appeasement over principle, sending a message that controversial speech will lead to abandonment.

Manchester's dangerous precedent: Greater Manchester police arrested a man for legal expression, exposing his identity and endangering his life.

This reckless action signals an implicit endorsement of mob justice, undermining the rule of law and intimidating others from exercising free speech.

Labour's blasphemy law push: The Labour Party's proposal to define Islamophobia threatens to criminalize criticism of Islam, effectively reviving blasphemy laws.

Such legislation risks silencing dissent and setting a dangerous precedent where certain ideologies – especially Islamist extremism – become untouchable.

A call to defend democracy: Europe's retreat from defending free speech in favor of appeasing Islamists betrays its democratic values.

Western governments must unequivocally protect free expression or risk descending into a de facto blasphemy regime.

To read the full article, click here.

Middle East Forum 2025 Policy Conference – speakers announced, discounted tickets!

Join us at the Middle East Forum’s 2025 Policy Conference, taking place May 19–21 in Washington, D.C. Statecraft Reimagined will gather leading experts, diplomats, and policymakers to discuss the most urgent and complex issues shaping the future of the Middle East.

This extraordinary event is poised to be the premier Middle East policy gathering in D.C. this year, offering unparalleled insights, networking, and strategic guidance.

We are also pleased to announce that, thanks to a generous contribution from an anonymous donor, we are able to offer 20 general admission tickets at a discounted rate of $550. These tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Be sure to get yours now.

To register, click here.

German Think Tank Cancels Talk by Pro-Iran Regime Lobbyist

Quincy Institute's embarrassment: The abrupt cancellation of Trita Parsi's talk in Berlin underscores the controversy surrounding the Quincy Institute's clear bias towards Iranian interests.

Human rights activists successfully pressured the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA) to cancel the event, highlighting the growing resistance to platforms that enable the appeasement of the Iranian regime.

GIGA's failure in judgment: The institute faced a considerable backlash for inviting Parsi.

GIGA's decision to cancel was attributed to "security reasons," but others view it largely as a capitulation to well-deserved political pressure.

Opposition voices rise: The cancellation was a triumph for Iranian dissidents who argue convincingly that giving a stage to pro-regime lobbyists legitimizes the oppressive Islamic Republic.

Activists, including Kazem Moussavi, condemned GIGA's initial invitation and demanded accountability from German authorities.

To read the full article, click here.

A Europe That Sides with Palestinian Arab Terrorists Digs Its Own Grave

French cities honor terror leader: Marwan Barghouti, serving five life sentences for orchestrating terrorist attacks, has been granted honorary citizenship by 20 French cities.

This shocking move aligns with growing antisemitic sentiment and applauds Barghouti’s role in orchestrating violence against civilians.

A grave misstep: By celebrating Barghouti, these European cities are effectively endorsing his violent ideology, undermining their own security and moral standing.

This is not just a symbolic gesture; it reflects a deeper alignment with extremist narratives that glorify terrorism.

Jewish exodus and rising extremism: The glorification of terrorists coincides with the exodus of Jewish families from cities like Stains and La Courneuve.

This trend signals a broader societal shift towards appeasement of radical ideologies at the expense of community safety and cohesion.

A dire warning: Europe’s willingness to side with those who promote terror sows the seeds of its own destruction.

It’s a wake-up call to reassess priorities and reject the dangerous path of legitimizing violence in the guise of political correctness.

To read the full article, click here.

The Red-Green Coalition: United in Hate

An unholy alliance: The Red-Green coalition unites leftists with Islamists, driven by a shared hatred for Western values and the U.S.

While leftists despise capitalism and individualism, Islamists strive for Islamic supremacism, exploiting this alliance to advance their agendas.

A common enemy: Both factions chant "Death to America" and burn American flags, aligning against the perceived oppressors of their ideologies.

This coalition is not about equality or justice, but about dismantling Western civilization from within.

Subverting democracy: Through universities and media, these groups propagate anti-Western narratives, normalizing extremism under the guise of freedom.

Leftists march through institutions, while Islamists employ terrorism and migration jihad, threatening the fabric of liberal democracies.

A call to action: Supporters of liberal democracy must resist this erosion of values and safeguard societies against this calculated assault on freedom and culture.

The survival of Western societies hinges on recognizing and confronting this insidious threat before it is too late.

To read the full article, click here.

Further Reading:

“Emiratis Place U.K.-Based Companies on Terrorist List”
By: Anna Stanley
Is the UAE sending a message to the U.K.?

“U.N. Bloat Fleeces Taxpayers and Fuels War from Israel to Congo”
By: Michael Rubin
U.N. reports involving Israel are notorious; U.N. rapporteurs engage in base antisemitism

“The U.N. Must Stop Being the Houthis’ Willing Hostage in Yemen”
By: Michael Rubin
The U.N. should relocate all its offices in Yemen to Aden and portions of the country under the recognized government’s control.

From the Islamist threat to free speech in Sweden and the U.K. to the dangerous glorification of convicted terrorists in European cities, the challenges to Western security and democratic values continue to mount. Stay informed, stay engaged, and we’ll be back soon with more updates on the battles shaping policy and global stability.

Sincerely,
Ahnaf Kalam
Digital Media Specialist
Middle East Forum

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