아프리카ㆍ중동

The Society of Muslim Brothers had been founded in Ismailia, 1928 by Hasan al-Banna with the intent of establishing an Islamic government in Egypt. Its leaders rejected secularism as fervently as they rejected the British colonial influence. The Muslim Brothers emerged as a new Egyptian political force among the people by establishing a pseudo-welfare system during the difficult years of the 1930s. It moved to Cairo in 1932, especially strong in Egypt between 1936 and 1954 and later revived during Anwar al-Sadat's presidency. Many Egyptians, especially lower- and middle-class city dwellers, joined the Society, which is believed to have had about 500 thousand members and an equal number of sympathizer at its apogee in 1948-49. It determined to establish one based on Islamic law, some members of the Muslim Brothers turned to violence. They formed a wing known as al-Jihaz al-Sirr, which was often accused of using terrorist methods against its enemies and of assassinating political leaders such as Prime Minister Mahmoud Fahmi Nuqrashi in 1948. The following year, the founder of the Society of Muslim Brothers, Hassan al Banna, was himself assassinated by government agent. Hasan al-Hudaybi was chosen to succeed him as supreme guide. Some Free Officers had ties with the Muslim Brothers, but its support for Muhammad Najib in 1954 estranged it from Gamal Abd al-Naser. Its secret wing's attempt to kill him in November 1954 led to its suppression. Six of its members were executed, and thousands more were imprisoned. Naser drove the Muslim Brothers into hiding, but its organization roots remained intact. Sayyid Qutub was one of the Muslim Brothers' leading intellectuals and he was put to death by Naser, but his writings would provide the philosophical foundation for the jihadist movement that emerged in the 1970's. The Muslim Brothers revived after Sadat turned against Arab socialism. It soon gained control of the street and became a critical element in Sadat's effort to crush the left. Led by Umar al-Tilmisani, it was able to resume publishing its weekly journal, al-Da'wah, and to contest student elections in the national universities. Suppression resumed, however, when Sadat arrested his political opponents in September 1981. Although the Muslim Brothers has stressed its peaceful character, it has been also restrained by Hosni Mubarak' government. It ran candidates for 1984 elections to the Popular Assembly in conjunction with the New Wafd. More recently, the Muslim Brothers has simply incorporated the Socialist Labor Party and to inspire an Islamic political party. The most recent attempt came during the December 2005 polls and those backed by the Society of Muslim Brothers won a stunning 86 seats in the People's Assembly. In consolidating their presence in the five-year legislative assembly, the Muslim Brothers also cemented their reputation, at home and abroad, as the largest, best-organized, and most disciplined opposition force in Egypt. They help the poor with food, medical care, and community problems the regime neglects. Government efforts to tame the Muslim Brothers have been a dismal failure. Although they are still censured by government, many Egyptians see them as the only hope for change.