Blackwell Reference Online

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Islamist party which began in Egypt and spread throughout the Arab world. Founded in 1928 by Hassan al‐Banna, a schoolteacher, it wanted the Sharia (Islamic law) to be applied and repudiated both capitalism and Marxism. Western law, customs and education should be rejected as they were a threat to Islamic values. Mainly an urban party, strongest in Cairo and Alexandria, it had possibly half a million members (and as many supporters) at the height of its popularity in 1949. Banned from 1948–50, the Brotherhood attacked the corruption, massive unemployment and poverty which existed under King Faruq and seemed as though it would seize power, but was forestalled by the Free Officers in 1952. At first it supported nasser but turned against him when he did not establish an Islamic government and was suppressed in 1954. In 1965 the Brotherhood was blamed for an attempt on Nasser's life: several Brothers were executed. When sadat became President the Brotherhood was permitted to function openly, though it was not allowed to become a political party, so Brothers stood in elections as independents or in conjunction with other parties. The Brotherhood had become a dynamic force in Egypt by the 1980s. The largest and wealthiest Islamist organization under mubarak , it ran an extensive network of banks, insurance companies, schools, medical and legal services. It dominated many professional ... log in or subscribe to read full text