Muslim Brotherhood: III Period (1971-1981)

Reconstruction

SADAT: previous links with Muslim Brotherhood:
- a common battle against Marxists;
- a common view in economic perspectives;
- demand of legal recognition.

1970s: social composition of Muslim Brotherhood changed: it came to be formed by doctors, businessman, professionals, that wanted to benefit from capitalism. Therefore, when Sadat promoted the infitah (“opening”: economic liberalization), Muslim Brothers were among the strongest supporters.
Sadat involved them in the drafting of the new Constitution.

1976: step towards a semi-pluralistic party structure. To defeat the Left, Muslim Brothers supported Sadat and they were able to start publishing their own journal.

However, in the second half of 1970s Sadat lost great part of his legitimacy:
- internal questions;
Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty (1979), political reapproachment with the West;
- social opposition.
Sayyd Qutb’s ideology was abandoned by Muslim Brotherhood, but there were a lot of other radical Islamic groups in that period.
➔ The main consequence of the multiplication of Islamic RADICAL MOVEMENTS in Egypt was that they were opposing Muslim Brothers’ activities and ambiguity. For example, Muslim Brothers had criticized the foreign policy towards Israel on their journal, but actually they supported Sadat because they were too much involved with the government.

1977: economic crisis: Sadat had tried to reduce the welfare system introduced under Nasser ➔ riot for bread apprising ➔ Muslim Brothers had been called to negotiate with the radical movements, but they could do nothing because of their moderate attitude.

At that point, Sadat arrested a lot of MB, even if they were not engaged in the rise of prices: in reality, he wanted to imprison those who were most dangerous for the stability of his regime. After Camp David Treaty with Israel, Muslim Brotherhood had to mediate with radical groups: there was a formal support, but when Sadat decided to persecute all the political oppositions, he decided to persecute also Muslim Brothers because he pretended a stronger support.

09/1981: Sadat ordered a lot of imprisonments ➔ revolts ➔ 1981: assassination of Sadat.