The Muslim Brotherhood has emerged large on the Egyptian political and social scene. What is the Muslim Brotherhood, and how is it different from other Muslim groups?
The Brotherhood’s stated goal is to instill Qur’an and Sunnah as the sole reference points for ordering the life of the Muslim family, individual, community and state. It is the oldest and largest Islamic political group.
The Brotherhood is not a political party, but a movement. They have produced splinter groups that are actively involved in politics, such as the Islamic Action Front in Jordan. Hamas is another offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Riots in Egypt in 2011 were started by Facebook users, but the Muslim Brotherhood quickly became a major force against the Egyptian government. They may have accounted for as many as 40% of the protesters at times, according to a Newsweek report. The Brotherhood has also been involved in political movements and demonstrations in Egypt’s past.
Some of their offspring are now their enemies. Al Qaeda’s second-in-command, a former member of the Brotherhood, now criticizes the group for peacefully participating in Egyptian politics and for their sympathy for Christians and Shiites.
Some Arab analysts said that the Brotherhood, “uses moderate-seeming politicians to further its extremist agenda,” Newsweek reports.
The Brotherhood was founded in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna. They were suppressed in the 1950’s and ‘60s by Egypt’s leader, Gamal Abdel Nasser, for their political involvement. Anwar Sadat tried to make amends with them in the 1970’s, and they again became a political force in Egypt. When they joined the bread riots in 1977, Sadat tried to squelch them again.
Some concerns over the Muslim Brotherhood’s involvement in Egypt’s politics are reports that the Brotherhood will close the Suez Canal and are ready to go to war with Israel.