Historical+Muslim

Historical Lara Gabrielsen The Muslim Brotherhood is known as the largest Islamic organization in Egypt. It began as a political party that was founded by Hasan al-Banna in 1928. The group supported social, spiritual, moral and political reforms throughout Egypt. Though Muslims supported President Gamal Abdel Nasser, he outlawed the brotherhood in 1954. In later years, the President made the organization legal again, however, they were outlawed once again after the President was assassinated by one of the members in 1964 (INdia-Pakistan War of 1971).  The party remained to be illegal until the next president’s successor, Hosni Mubarak, recognized Muslims a legal religious group rather than an illegal political party in 1984 (Muslim Brotherhood). The Muslim group allied itself to legal parties and gained indirect representation in legislature. Mubarak began fearing the organization’s support by 1995, due to how strong the support was growing. Resulting in his fear, Mubarak arrested 11 of its leaders (Muslim Brotherhood). By late 1999, 20 members of the Muslim Brotherhood had numerous charges against them that included “membership and recruitment activities in an illegal organization” (Muslim Brotherhood). Professions like professors and lawyers within the organization were held until November 2000. Despite the detained members and the charges held against them, 17 members ran as independents and gained positions to the People’s Assembly. By 2002, sixteen members were sentenced to prison for five years. Government authorities detained thirty-five more members before getting released by court order (Muslim Brotherhood). In modern times, Muslims consist mostly of Egypt’s higher and middle classes. Mubarak has been tolerant of the group’s underground existence due to the brotherhood forbidding violence. However, in 2005, 2,500 members were arrested and interrogated due to their demonstrations on calling for political reforms (Muslim Brotherhood).

Works Cited

"India-Pakistan War of 1971." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2012. Web. 3 Feb. 2012.

“Muslim Brotherhood." World History: The Modern Era. ABC-CLIO, 2012. Web. 2 Feb. 2012.