Political Islam

When were the Muslim Brotherhood founded and why?

1928 - After the failure of the Egyptian government

What religious minority where the MB?

Sunni Muslim

What did the MB resent and call for?

• They resented the political system and the European reforms.

• The MB called for a renewed faith in Islam and resented secularism.

Who did the MB attract?

The urban masses who had no trade unions to represent them and were easily exploited

Why did Nasser ban the MB in 1953?

He was threatened as they represented another way of ruling than the National Union

When did the MB try to assassinate Nasser?

1954

What did the MB do once they were banned?

They moved underground but has little impact in Egypt during Nasser’s regime

What were the MB like in Syria?

• They still wanted the same thing so they built their underground resistance movement in Aleppo.

• They were violent and each would target the others having a big impact on civilians - 10,000-20,000 were killed

When was Hamas founded?

1987 - during the First Intifada

What were Hamas an extension of?

The Muslim Brotherhood

How did Hamas gain popularity?

Through funding schools, healthcare programmes, youth clubs and mosques

What religion were Hamas?

Sunni Muslim

What were Hamas committed to?

The destruction of Israel

Where else did Hamas gain a lot of political support?

The Palestinian Authority

How many seats did Hamas win in the Palestinian Authority?

76 out of 132 seats

What were Hamas methods? What was the result?

Suicide bombings and military resistance - Many countries regarding them as terrorists

Who were blamed for disrupting the Peace Accords in the 1990s?

Hamas

When did Hamas control Gaza?

2006

Who were Hamas’ rivals?

Fatah

When were Hezbollah created?

1982

Who supported Hezbollah?

Iran

Where was Hezbollah based?

Lebanon

What religion were Hezbollah?

Shia Muslim

What was Hezbollah’s main aim?

They wanted political Islam to be adopted but only if the people wanted it, they didn’t want it opposed. They were also anti-Soviet Union.

How many seats did Hezbollah win in Lebanon?

12 seats in 1992

What are the methods used by Hezbollah?

Grassroots schemes and resistance

What was Hezbollah like in Syria?

They were supported due to their historical link and the fact that they were both Shia

What were Hezbollah credited for in 2000?

Pushing out Israel

Who had a big role in the Lebanon War?

Hezbollah