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 (1952-1973): Arab Socialism

Sadat (1973-1981): 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

SPLIT CONTINUED

SPLIT CONTINUED

A LOOK AT THE ENGINEERS’ ASSOCIATION Engineers’ Assoc. also PA that Madi led as second in

command. Looking at 1988-1995 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