Origins of the Muslim Brotherhood

Summary

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, emerged in response to European colonial dominance in Egypt. Initially focused on cultural reform and social welfare, it soon became a political and militant force, opposing both colonialism and secularism. Over time, the Brotherhood's role shifted, with periods of suppression, revival, and political involvement, including a brief period of power with President Mohamed Morsi in 2011. Despite being banned in Egypt and many other countries, its pan-Islamic message continues to resonate, shaping political movements across the Middle East. The Brotherhood remains a significant yet controversial force in regional politics.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Muslim Brotherhood originated in Egypt in 1928, formed by Hassan al-Banna in response to the cultural decay he witnessed under European colonial influence.
• 😀 The movement aimed to reform society by balancing Islamic traditions with modern ideas, like nationalism and secularism, which were seen as contradictory.
• 😀 Early intellectual influences on the Brotherhood included figures like Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, who advocated for modern governments governed by the rule of law.
• 😀 The Brotherhood initially grew by providing education, healthcare, and cultural guidance to Egyptians, especially in response to the poverty and disillusionment caused by European influence.
• 😀 The Suez Canal played a pivotal role in the Brotherhood's development, as it exemplified the stark cultural and economic divide between European colonists and the local Egyptian population.
• 😀 The Brotherhood rejected the secular nationalism promoted by the Egyptian elite, advocating instead for pan-Islamism, which called for solidarity and unity among Muslim nations.
• 😀 In the 1940s, the Brotherhood took an active role in political resistance against British colonial rule, escalating into armed operations.
• 😀 The assassination of its founder, Hassan al-Banna, in 1949 by the Egyptian government marked a turning point, leading to a nationwide insurgency and the Brotherhood's eventual disbandment.
• 😀 After the 1952 Egyptian Revolution, the Brotherhood briefly allied with military officers to overthrow the monarchy, but their relationship with the new government soon soured, leading to widespread repression.
• 😀 The Brotherhood's return to prominence in the 1970s marked a shift towards non-violence, using peaceful means for political opposition while splinter groups like Hamas pursued armed struggle.
• 😀 In the 2010s, the Brotherhood's political revival reached its peak when Mohamed Morsi became Egypt's first democratically elected president in 2012, though he was ousted by the military in 2013 following mass protests.

Q & A

What event in 1798 significantly impacted the distribution of power in the Middle East?

The French expedition to Egypt in 1798 marked a pivotal moment, as European supremacy grew in the region, challenging the centuries-old distribution of power in the Middle East.

Who were the key intellectual figures involved in the emergence of reactionary movements in Egypt?

One key figure was Jamal al-Din al-Afghani, an Afghan revolutionary scholar, whose ideas about modern governments and the rule of law strongly influenced Islamic reactionary factions, including Hassan al-Banna, the founder of the Muslim Brotherhood.

How did European influence contribute to the cultural and social changes in Egypt during the 19th century?

As European powers like Britain and France expanded in the Middle East, new ideas such as nationalism, secularism, and capitalism spread, reshaping Egyptian society. This created tensions as some segments of Egyptian society sought to preserve their Islamic customs while others adapted to European norms.

What role did the Suez Canal project play in shaping Egypt’s socio-political landscape?

The Suez Canal project, which connected the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, attracted European immigrants and led to the creation of segregated towns. This division exacerbated poverty in Egyptian towns and spurred a desire for assimilation into European culture among the local population.

What was the initial goal of Hassan al-Banna when he founded the Muslim Brotherhood?

Hassan al-Banna aimed to educate Egyptians about their history, heritage, and faith while resisting cultural colonialism and foreign influence. He founded the Muslim Brotherhood in 1928, focusing on instilling self-respect and dignity in the population.

How did the Muslim Brotherhood expand in Egypt during the 1930s and 1940s?

By the 1930s, the Muslim Brotherhood had grown into a nationwide organization with thousands of members. It provided social services like schools, hospitals, and pharmacies, and gradually shifted toward political activism, aiming to challenge the Westernized Egyptian elite.

What was the Muslim Brotherhood’s stance on secularism and nationalism?

The Muslim Brotherhood opposed secularism and nationalism, viewing them as incompatible with Islam. Instead, they advocated for pan-Islamism, which called for unity and solidarity across Muslim-majority regions.

What led to the assassination of Hassan al-Banna and how did it affect the Muslim Brotherhood?

In 1949, Hassan al-Banna was assassinated by the Egyptian government after an attempt on President Nasser’s life. This loss triggered a nationwide insurgency, and the Brotherhood continued its struggle against the government, eventually collaborating with military officers to overthrow the monarchy in 1952.

What was the relationship between the Egyptian government and the Muslim Brotherhood after the 1952 revolution?

Following the 1952 revolution, the Egyptian government, initially supportive of the Muslim Brotherhood, turned against the organization. Nasser’s government disbanded the Brotherhood, imprisoned thousands of members, and declared them illegal after an assassination attempt on Nasser in 1954.

How did the Muslim Brotherhood evolve in the 1980s and 1990s under Hosni Mubarak?

During the reign of Hosni Mubarak, the Muslim Brotherhood reinvented itself as a political opposition group, advocating non-violence and gaining significant public support. It became an umbrella organization for opposition movements, gaining power through elections, culminating in the election of Muhammad Morsi as president in 2012.