In France, rising concerns about militant Muslim fundamentalism have led to a disturbing trend: Islamist recruiters are increasingly targeting vulnerable children in state care facilities.
These children, often without strong family support, are seen as prime candidates for radicalization, a problem compounded by a broader crisis within the child welfare system. Many of these children face abuse, drug addiction, and involvement in prostitution rings, creating an environment ripe for exploitation by extremist groups.
A recent government report on the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood has drawn attention to the education sector’s vulnerability, particularly when it comes to easily influenced youth. Vulnerable minors in public care facilities are especially at risk, with several recent cases of minors committing terrorist-related violence. One example includes a 16-year-old boy who attacked a rabbi in Orléans in March. In November 2023, another 16-year-old in northern France was charged with promoting terrorism after sharing Islamic State propaganda online.
Manon Sieraczek, a lawyer, and Thierry Froment, a former investigating judge, have raised alarms in Le Figaro, warning that children between 15 and 18 are at a critical juncture in their development. As they transition out of youth protection services, they become easy targets for criminal and Islamist networks, with some even being recruited into terrorism, trafficking, or prostitution.
Emergency shelters, where these teenagers are often placed, have become hotspots for recruitment. Unfortunately, these facilities lack the resources and trained staff to address the risks, leaving young residents vulnerable to extremist influences. In some cases, staff have allowed recruiters to operate freely, especially when minors speak only Arabic and staff are insufficiently prepared to handle their needs. In some shelters, religious practices like communal prayers and restrictions on girls’ swimming lessons are imposed, and Islamist groups like Secours Islamique France, which has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, are known to target minors for recruitment.
This issue is exacerbated by the lack of action from higher-level authorities. Many reports of radicalization or secularism violations go unaddressed, with a staggering 70% of such concerns being dismissed without further investigation. As a result, the child welfare system is inadvertently enabling the spread of political Islam, leaving the state with yet another challenge in its fight against extremism. Currently, child welfare policies in France appear to be neglected, leaving the door wide open for radical ideologies to flourish among vulnerable minors.
