Muslim Brotherhood: IV Period (1982-2011)

The new Muslim Brothers

Since 1980s, MUBARAK tried to establish a new atmosphere to gain more legitimacy.
Muslim Brotherhood took advantage from this change. They continued in their activities, mainly Islamization of Egyptian society and push for application of shari’a.

Sadat had created a semi-pluralistic system and encouraged the Islamic factor in order to contrast Marxism and opposition ➔ it had provoked an increase of Muslim Brothers’ legitimacy.

This interest convergence could be explained by Muslim Brothers’ parliamentary activities: they were not legalized, but they entered the Parliament through alliances with established parties ➔ “Neo-Wafd”: obtained seats in the Parliament. In 1987 they gained 36 seats (with the “Islamic Alliance”). They didn’t accuse anymore the “ignorance” of Egypt.

University campus activities: they were aware of the difficulties of universities students. A lot of activist, that were radical in 1970s, entered the Muslim Brotherhood and diffused their ideology in the campuses but in a more moderate way, for example through assistance services, claimed by the students.

Professional syndicates activities: they first provided services in order to mobilize people ➔ syndicates of specific professions (lawyers, judges, teachers, doctors, teachers: they were the most important due to their political role).

Social activities with Egyptian lower classes.

END OF THE 1980S

At the end of the 1980s: Muslim Brothers had a strong control of civil society.
➔ New struggle between Mubarak and Muslim Brotherhood.

1990: Mubarak decided to become stronger and to avoid that Muslim Brothers could take control of the rest of the society (e.g. working class). This repression touched firstly the militant and radical movements. He used the fear of terrorism to repress and persecute Muslim Brothers. They boycotted the following elections.

1990-1995: Muslim Brothers’ social legitimacy was exploited in a political form.

1995-2000: repressive policy by Mubarak. It was interrupted for a brief period due to the pressures of the U.S. on Mubarak to make elections clear ➔ Muslim Brothers started again their fight for parliamentary seats and they became the second most important political party after the party that supported Mubarak.

DECLINE OF MUBARAK REGIME

2000-2005: important electoral results for Muslim Brotherhood;
2004-2008: social and political opposition all over Egypt;
2010-11: Muslim Brothers decided not to support demonstration against the regime nor the general strikes organized from 2004 to 2008 for better conditions because they preferred to support Egyptian government and obtain a compromise in order to be recognized.

2011 revolution: there was already a strong opposition against the regime. Muslim Brothers at the beginning decided to stay quiet and not to support the people, but one of the biggest problems today is that there are degenerations within the movement.
The board of Muslim Brotherhood is controlled by the older generation, but there are many differences inside the organization.

Secession inside the movement: a group supported the secular principle, but Muslim Brothers today have decided to divide their political activity from the social activity. (On the contrary, one of their historical features was their syncretic approach). The youngest have decided to support the ruling political party, but now they are contesting the decision to support the government.