Unpacking the Muslim Brotherhood – A Century of Evolution and Ordeal

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Today, we're dissecting one of the most influential, enduring, and controversial socio-political movements in the modern Middle East: The Muslim Brotherhood. For nearly a century, its evolution has shaped events, challenged states, and sparked intense debate both within and outside its ranks.

Listen to "Unpacking the Muslim Brotherhood – A Century of Evolution and Ordeal" now on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts!

We'll explore:

The foundational ideas of Hassan al-Banna.

The intricate internal structures and norms that build identity and ensure cohesion – concepts like Tarbiyya, the Usra system, Thiqah (trust), and Ta'a (obedience).

The movement's dialectical relationship with state power, oscillating between opposition, cautious participation, and outright persecution.

The critical ideological debates that have shaped its trajectory, particularly the tension between gradualism and more radical interpretations, exemplified by figures like Sayyid Qutb and Hassan al-Hudaybi.

Key historical moments, including its interactions with Nasser, its electoral successes in the 1980s, the dramatic rise after the 2011 Arab Spring, Morsi's brief presidency, and the devastating aftermath of the 2013 coup in Egypt.

The distinct yet interconnected story of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood and its own struggles.

How the Brotherhood has navigated immense external pressures while grappling with internal demands for reform and accountability.

This isn't just a historical overview; it's an exploration of how an organization builds and maintains identity, adapts (or fails to adapt) to shifting political landscapes, and the profound impact of its core tenets on its survival and evolution.

Sources Used for This Episode:

Pargeter, A. The Muslim Brotherhood: From Opposition to Power. Saqi Books, 2013.

Wickham, C.R. The Muslim Brotherhood: Evolution of an Islamist Movement - Updated Edition. Princeton University Press, 2015.

Willi, V.J. The Fourth Ordeal: A History of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, 1968–2018. Cambridge University Press, 2021.

Zollner, B. The Muslim Brotherhood: Hasan Al-Hudaybi and Ideology. Taylor & Francis, 2009.

Díaz, N.R. The Muslim Brotherhood in Syria: The Democratic Option of Islamism. Taylor & Francis, 2017.

Mellor, N. Voice of the Muslim Brotherhood: Da'wa, Discourse, and Political Communication. Taylor & Francis, 2017.

Photo: The banner of the Muslim Brotherhood, Wikimedia Commons