The Muslim Brotherhood is one of the most influential Islamist organisations today. Based in Egypt, its network includes branches in many countries of the Near and Middle East. Although the organisation has been linked to political violence in the past, it now proposes a politically moderate ideology.

The book provides an in-depth analysis of the Muslim Brotherhood during the years of al-Hudaybi's leadership, and how he sought to steer the organization away from the radical wing, inspired by Sayyid Qutb, into the more moderate Islamist organization it is today. It is his legacy which eventually fostered the development of non-violent political ideas.

During the years of persecution, 1954 to 1971, radical and moderate Islamist ideas emerged within the Brotherhood's midst. Inspired by Sayyid Qutb's ideas, a radical wing evolved which subsequently fed into radical Islamist networks as we know them today. Yet, it was during the same period that al-Hudaybi and his followers proposed a moderate political interpretation, which was adopted by the Brotherhood and which forms its ideological basis today.

About the Author
Barbara Zollner is Associate Lecturer in Islamic Studies, Birkbeck College

Reviews

'...for those interested in a full understanding of how the Muslim Brothers evolved from Hasan al-Banna's time to its present status, the work is indispensable reading.' - Bjorn Olav Utvik, University of Oslo, The Middle East Journal, Summer 2009

Book Information
ISBN 9780415664172
Author Barbara Zollner
Format Paperback
Page Count 214
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 380g