Muslim Brotherhood

Originally formed in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, an Egyptian schoolteacher, the Muslim Brotherhood became a widespread conservative Islamic organization, based on the Wahabbi branch of Salafism. It began as the Ottoman Empire broke down, and spread into education and politics. While Egyptian at its core, affiliated organizations exist in a number of Muslim states.

Brotherhood sympathizers hold independent seats in the Parliament and in influential posts. There are Brotherhood organizations in dozens of countries. Some more violent groups have broken from the Brotherhood, including al-Jihad and the Islamic Group in Egypt, Hamas in Palestine and mujahideen groups in Afghanistan.

The relationship of the Brotherhood to terrorism is unclear. It has denied violence since 1970, the U.S. government does not list it as terrorist, and it seeks involvement in Egyptian politics. Still, it remains distrusted and officially banned by Egypt.

History
With the movement toward Israeli independence, the Brotherhood took an anti-Zionist position, including terrorist acts in Israel, leading to its banning for a time. A Brotherhood member killed the Prime Minister, Mahmud Fahmi Nokrashi, on December 28, 1948. Al-Banna himself was killed by government agents in Cairo in February, 1949.

It was reeestablished in 1948 and limited to religious activities, but banned again in 1954 after insisting on the imposition of sharia. In 1954, another activist attempted to assassinate President Gamel Nasser; six members were executed and thousands executed or exiled.

Nasser amnestied the group in 1964 in the hope of weakening the Arab Socialist Party. His successor, Anwar Sadar, promised Sharia reform and released all Brotherhood prisoners. After he signed a peace agreement with Israel in 1979, he was assassinated in 1981.

Outside Egypt
In 1957, when Jordan banned political parties, the Brotherhood was exempted.

Current activity in Egypt
The group seems to be feeling its way toward political participation. Many members are nonviolent, if for no other reasons that violent former members, such as Ayman al-Zawahiri, left it for more extreme groups.

After electoral successes in 2005, there was a conflict between the loyal core supporting the implementation of shari'a law, and alienating the more moderate public. The controversial ideological issue were more important than economic matters.