Is Muslim Brotherhood a friend or foe?

Let’s review some facts. It was founded in 1928 by Hassan Al Banna who was a pious man. He wanted to lead Muslims by example and initiated the idea of providing community centers to help Muslims. In 1952,Muslim Brotherhood played a large role in Egypt’s revolution along with the Free Officers movement. Although Egyptian history books minimize the Muslim Brotherhood influence, King Farouk wrote in his diary that Muslim Brotherhood toppled his regime.

In 1954, Nasser’s regime (The free Officers movement) started to arrest, torture and kill Muslim brotherhood members. Sayyid Qutb was arrested, released and arrested again due to a deteriorated health conditions.  He started the call for Jihad based Surah 9 verse 111 (which I previously discussed in my blog).  He received the death sentence in 1966. Sayyid Qutb’s books are considered the core of the Islamist’s ideology.

In 1972, in exchange of allowing Muslim Brotherhood to join the political field, Umr Al Tilmisani renounced violence. It was a bargain made between him and Sadat the Egyptian president. As their power as group grew, they plotted and assassinated President Sadat in 1981. Learning from his predecessor mistakes Mubarak did oppress Muslim Brotherhood. In many cases, he caused them to leave the land.

By the early 90s, the moderate members within Muslim Brotherhood started to demand changes and reform. Muslim brotherhood members say that they support human rights as they have learned that “Human rights” is a magic word which adds legitimacy. However you can’t bring up the word women’s rights to MB without creating a conflict. These members had to leave and they created ( Hizab Al Wasat/ the party of the middle).Wasat leaders helped creating a movement of change under the slogan Kifaya/ enough in 2005.

Muslim Brotherhood ideology is based on Jihad and radical ideas. Sayyid Qutb is their shaheed/ martyr and his books calling for Jihad and Muslim nation is at the core of the ideology ofMuslim Brotherhood.
Samara