THEME 4: Religion, Ethnicity and Political Minorities

when where and by who was the muslim brotherhood established

1928

egypt

hassan al banna

what was the original purpose of the muslim brotherhood

originally to educate young boys about islamic values

what did the MB want to achieve

promoted pan-islamic modernisation without westernisation

what did the MB oppose

opposed colonialism as a force that exploited muslim countries economically, subordinated them politically and culturally imposed their values

what was the fundamental belief of the MB

revive islamic values that rendered society just and free of corruption

MB actions in egypt

founded hospitals, schools and organised relief groups

what was nassers response to the MB actions in europe

abolished brotherhood

imprisoned many members

MB after nasser

were still not permitted to stand for elections under banner of their org - ran as independents

assassinated sadat

what percentage of the vote did the MB win in the 2005 elections in egypt

won 19.4%

obtained 88 seats

in what ways was nassers regime authoritarian

leaders of wafd and ex-kings gov put on trial and imprisoned

nasser dominated gov, army dominated politics

banned political parties - only national union legitimate

parliaments power severely limited

when were all political parties banned in egypt

jan 1953

what did the MB stand for

called for renewed faith in islam, not in politics or european-inspired reforms

appealed to the urban masses who had no trade unions to represent them and were exploited

why was nasser, a muslim, against the MB

feared its influence - represented an alternative to his national union

might claim allegiance of all muslims (majority of egypt)

what actions did Nasser take against the MB

1953: MB was banned - arrested thousands, some hanged for assassination attempt

in what ways did sadat reform egyptian society

press was allowed more freedom - remained largely gov controlled

allowed political parties - ensured arab socialist union still dominated parliament

policy of intifah encouraged more private enterprise

why was the MB angered by aspects of sadats policies

opposed the increasing evidence of western influence in egypt for example in dress and the use of alcohol

when was sadat assassinated

1981 - by islamists from within the egyptian military not muslim brotherhood

how did mubarak deal with the MB

initially allowed press and political parties more freedom - MB largest opposition party

gov party always secured victory though

what role did the MB play in the early 2000s

increasing calls for political change and more democracy especially from the widely-supported MB

arab spring 2011 - mubarak stepped down as president and handed power to army leaders

why was the gov response to the MB much more violent and repressive than in egypt

constituted the main opposition to the baathist gov

formed underground resistance movement in aleppo and homs

members stockpiled weapons and trained recruits to use them

why did some islamists form more radical violent militant groups from the 90s in syria

gov proved too strong to be overthrown after it resorted to mass killing to deal with their islamist opponents

so they took their struggle to the international level