ISLAMISM IN EGYPT

WHAT IS POLITICAL ISLAM Perception vs. Reality What are the popular perceptions? What does Charles Hirschkind say? The political and non-political Moving beyond Din wa Dawla

ISLAMISM What is it? What is a Social Movement? “Collective challenges to existing arrangements of power and distribution by people with common purposes and solidarity, in sustained interaction with elites, opponents, and authorities” What does that really mean? Focusing on methods employed by challengers Disruptive vs. Moderate tactics The Problem of Institutionalization Repression-Moderation Dilemma

CASE STUDY OF ISLAMISM: WHY THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD IN EGYPT Most powerful opposition to the Egyptian regime. They are banned. Can they tell us more about Islamist movements in the Middle East? Historical context Anthropological Perspective Social Movement Theories Political Science

EGYPTIAN HISTORY: POLITICAL STRUCTURES Islamic History in Egypt Ottoman Empire British Colonialism Rise of the Muslim Brotherhood Nasser ( ): Arab Socialism Sadat ( ): Liberalization Mubarak (1981-Present): Religious Awakening and Gil as-Sab`inat (The 70s generation)

RADICALISM: CASE STUDY AL- GAMA`A AL-ISLAMIYYAH Isolated in Upper Egypt in 1980s Ran 150 mosques, conferences in mosques Developed their own security 1990: Security Forces assassinated `Ala’ Muhyi al-Din (Spokesperson of the al-Gama`a) Gama`a in retaliation killed Speaker of the Parliament March 1992: Sectarian clashes

1995 PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS 53 Died; 601 injured Jan 22, 1995: 27 MBs arrested July 28, 1995: 200 arrested Sept, 1995: 5 arrested Oct, 1995: 21 arrested Nov, 1995: 6 arrested Dec, 1995: 95 arrested Total 81 transferred to military courts: 54 sent to jail for 3-5 years; 27 found innocent

THE SPLIT WITHIN THE MB Jan 10, 1996: Abu el-`Ila Madi submits request to PPC to form Wasat Jan 19, 1996: al-Hudeiby denies any plans between Wasat and MB to form party. Claims they acted on their own w/o MB knowledge Jan 21, 1996: Mashhur implies MB knew of Wasat’s plan and was quoted saying, “This is the first time the MB has seriously intended on forming a political party since its founding in 1928.” Jan 23, 1996: Names of Wasat founders published for any disputes per procedure. April, 1996: Madi arrested along with 2 other founders and 13 others accused of “belonging to an illegal organization,” “preparing anti-regime publications,” and “carrying out political activities w/o permission.”

SPLIT CONTINUED May 8, ’96: Mubarak transfers their cases to Military Court. He can do that under the Emergency Law enacted since May 12, ’96: PPC refuses Wasat’s request to form a political party. May 26, al-`Awa (Wasat lawyer) appeals. May 29, ’96: al-Hudeiby again denies any ties between Wasat and MB June 24, ’96: Mashhur claims Wasat activists acted on their own without the approval or knowledge of MB Aug 15, ’96: Madi and other founders found innocent. 8 others were jailed

SPLIT CONTINUED Sept-Oct, ’96: Wasat founders resign from MB Dec 7, ’96: PPC reviews appeal Dec. 28, ’96: 46 of founders rescind their request for appeal upon pressures from the Guidance Bureau of MB.

A LOOK AT THE ENGINEERS’ ASSOCIATION Engineers’ Assoc. also PA that Madi led as second in command. Looking at Nov. 1988: Conference on affordable housing with Minister of Housing and Development Jan. 1989: Seminar on unemployment in Egyptian society and engineers Feb. 1990: Seminar on Freedom and Development Feb 19-21, 1992: Seminar on the debates within Sciences, Research, and Development June 1992: Seminar on Terrorism—Causes, Effects, and Possible Solutions Nov 1994: Seminar on improving engineering education globally Engineers’ Assoc had 40 committees: Treasury, Housing, Sinai Development, Rebuilding effort in Lebanon and Bosnia, etc. Annual Syndical Conferences were held where PAs discussed everything from development to national health issues, unemployment, civil liberties, domestic policies, research, torture, international relations, etc