아프리카ㆍ중동

The MB emerged as a new political force in Egypt since 1928. The MB was believed to have had about a half-million members and the equal number of sympathizer at its apogee in the period between 1948 and 1949. Its secret wing's attempt to kill Gamal Abud al-Nasser, the leader of Egypt in November 1954, led to its suppression. Therefore, the MB was ousted from Egyptian politics. However, its organization roots remained intact. The MB revived after Anwar al-Sadat came into power. It soon gained control of the street and became a critical element in Sadat's efforts to crush the leftists. Since Sadat visited Jerusalem in 1977, the relationship between the MB and the Sadat government became soured. As a result, the MB became suppressed again. Although the MB has stressed its peaceful characters, it has been also restrained by the Hosni Mubarak government. During the election of December 2005, those backed by the MB won a stunning victory with taking 88 seats in the People's Assembly. To prevent the MB's further gains in politics, the Mubarak regime repeated clampdowns, especially targeting the key figures of the MB. It is, however, in both side's interests to reach a compromise. Therefore, the MB gave up its main role during the revolution of January 25, 2011 and Wael Ghonim and his followers played it. The MB regularly makes statements that contradict its stated goals. Hence, they are criticised on the grounds of ambiguity and vagueness. However, the very abstractness provides it with a plasticity that makes it possible to unite disparate social groups. Eventually, it will officially enter into the mainstream politics of Egypt in the forseeable future.