The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt: From Uprising to Suppression
The Muslim Brotherhood’s participation in Egyptian politics surged following the uprising against Hosni Mubarak in 2011, leading to electoral successes, including the formation of the Freedom and Justice Party. Despite initial commitments to refrain from presidential bids, they nominated candidates, ultimately winning the presidency with Mohammed Morsi. However, increasing unrest led to Morsi’s ouster by the military in July 2013, followed by a severe crackdown on the Brotherhood, which was later designated a terrorist organization.
The Muslim Brotherhood’s involvement in Egyptian politics significantly emerged during the 2011 uprising against President Hosni Mubarak. Initially hesitant, the Brotherhood’s leadership eventually supported the nonreligious youth-led movement, facilitating their participation in political processes following Mubarak’s resignation in February 2011. The establishment of the Freedom and Justice Party became a pivotal development, as the organization sought official recognition, pledging policies grounded in Islamic principles paired with inclusivity for women and Christians. In the subsequent parliamentary elections from November 2011 to January 2012, the Freedom and Justice Party achieved considerable success, securing approximately 47 percent of the seats in the People’s Assembly, thereby enabling Islamists to influence the formation of Egypt’s new constitution. The political ambitions of the Brotherhood escalated in March 2012 when they announced Khairat al-Shater as their presidential candidate, contradicting earlier commitments to avoid seeking the presidency. However, due to legal disqualifications, Mohammed Morsi emerged as their candidate and ultimately won the presidency in June 2012. Following his election, the constitutional assembly established a draft constitution that faced accusations of being favorable to the Brotherhood, leading to ongoing protests against Morsi’s rule. In June 2013, widespread discontent culminated in mass protests demanding Morsi’s resignation. The military, led by Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, intervened on July 3, suspending the constitution and removing Morsi from power, which resulted in his arrest and that of other Brotherhood leaders. In the wake of Morsi’s ouster, supporters of the Brotherhood clashed with government forces, leading to tragic violence and a significant crackdown on the organization. By the end of 2013, the Egyptian government designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, suppressing their activities and arresting thousands of their members.
The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in 1928, is one of the oldest and most influential Islamist movements in the Arab world. Its original mission was to foster Islamic morals and values in society, advocating for socio-economic reform based on Islamic tenets. This organization gained notoriety for its opposition to authoritarian regimes in Egypt, particularly under Mubarak’s rule, and played a central role during the 2011 revolution that led to his ousting. Their political strategies evolved during these tumultuous times, shifting towards more structured political involvement, which saw them establish a party and compete in elections, leading to significant electoral wins followed by significant public backlash.
The narrative of the Muslim Brotherhood during Egypt’s 2011 uprising to the subsequent crackdown demonstrates the complexities of transitioning from an authoritarian regime to a democratic framework. The Brotherhood’s initial political success was marred by public discontent towards Morsi’s administration, culminating in a military coup that dismantled their leadership and criminalized their organization. This sequence of events highlights the challenges faced by Islamist movements in navigating Egypt’s political landscape, ultimately leading to severe repression and the labeling of the Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.
Original Source: www.britannica.com
