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Exploring the origins, beliefs and impact of the influential Sunni Islamic movement
The Muslim Brotherhood, also known as the Society of the Muslim Brothers, is a transnational Sunni Islamist organization founded in Egypt in 1928. It advocates for the revival of Islamic values and the implementation of Sharia law through political participation and social activism.
In recent years, the Muslim Brotherhood has been at the center of political upheavals and debates across the Middle East and North Africa. The group briefly held power in Egypt after the 2011 Arab Spring protests, with Mohamed Morsi becoming the country's first democratically elected president in 2012 before being ousted in a military coup a year later.
The Brotherhood's origins can be traced back to the teachings of Hassan al-Banna, an Egyptian schoolteacher who established the group with the aim of countering Western secular influences and promoting Islamic reform. Al-Banna envisioned a society governed by Islamic principles and sought to achieve this through grassroots activism, education, and eventually political engagement.
While the Muslim Brotherhood initially focused on social and religious activities, it gradually evolved into a broader political movement. The group's ideology is based on the principles of Islam, with a strong emphasis on social justice, anti-corruption, and the establishment of an Islamic state governed by Sharia law.
The Muslim Brotherhood has faced significant opposition and crackdowns from various governments in the region, with some countries designating it as a terrorist organization. However, the group maintains a significant following and continues to influence political discourse and social movements across the Muslim world.