Cairo, Egypt – Since its founding in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood has been more than just a religious missionary movement; it has been a political and social entity. From the outset, it relied on gradual infiltration of society and its institutions. It has also been willing, at times, to engage in direct confrontation with the state.
- 1928 – 1949 | The First Seeds and Political Violence
- 1950 – 1970 | Regional Expansion and Early Penetration
- 1970 – 1990 | Infiltration of state and societal institutions
- 1990 – 2010 | The Duality of Political Action
- 2011 – 2013 | The Arab Spring and the Moment of Exposure
- 2014 – 2020 | Proxy Chaos and Regional Influence
- 2020 – 2025 | Repositioning in the Shadows
- Analytical conclusion
For nearly a century, the group has had a clear impact on the stability of several countries. This impact was achieved through the construction of social and political networks. The group then used this influence to steer events according to its vision.
1928 – 1949 | The First Seeds and Political Violence
1928: The group was founded in Ismailia, Egypt, under the banner of preaching and reform, with a focus on religious and social education.
1936–1945: The emergence of the “Special Apparatus,” the group’s clandestine arm, responsible for carrying out covert and violent operations when necessary.
1948–1949: The assassination of Egyptian Interior Minister Mahmoud Fahmy al-Nuqrashi highlighted the violent political dimension of the group’s founding phase.
Linking the past to the present: The same approach, based on clandestine organization and building influence under the guise of preaching, remains fundamental to the group’s strategy in regions such as Africa today.
1950 – 1970 | Regional Expansion and Early Penetration
After facing crackdowns in Egypt, the organization began exporting its members and ideology to the Gulf states, Sudan, and Jordan.
1965: The emergence of hardline factions within the group, influenced by the ideas of Sayyid Qutb, solidified the concepts of “the ignorance of society” and “gradual empowerment.”
Linking the past to the present: This model of “gradual infiltration” is evident today in the group’s activities in the Horn of Africa, where influence is quietly established before any public emergence.
1970 – 1990 | Infiltration of state and societal institutions
Expansion into:
Universities and unions
Charitable organizations
Political parties with an Islamic background
In Jordan, Kuwait, and Morocco, the Muslim Brotherhood has established a parallel political presence to the state without direct confrontation.
Linking the past to the present: This institutional and social structure is being reused today in Africa and Europe to consolidate quiet influence.
1990 – 2010 | The Duality of Political Action
Algeria (1991): Indirect support for extremist ideology contributed to the outbreak of the Black Decade.
Palestine (2006–2007): Hamas’s electoral victory and subsequent takeover of Gaza created a political and security vacuum.
Turkey: Ideological alliances with political Islamist movements strengthened networks of regional influence.
Linking the past to the present: The exploitation of democracy as a tool of influence, rather than as an enduring value, is repeating itself today in new regions.
2011 – 2013 | The Arab Spring and the Moment of Exposure
2011–2012: Exploiting the Arab Spring to seize power in Egypt and Tunisia.
Egypt: Mohamed Morsi’s rule was marked by attempts to control state institutions and clashes with the judiciary and the media.
Tunisia: The Ennahda movement’s rule was accompanied by political and economic crises, and political assassinations (Chokri Belaid 2013 – Mohamed Brahmi 2013).
Linking the past to the present: This period reveals the true nature of the group. Peaceful infiltration first, followed by political action upon reaching power. This approach is being observed today in the Horn of Africa.
2014 – 2020 | Proxy Chaos and Regional Influence
Libya: Support for militias affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood contributed to the continuation of the civil war.
Syria and Yemen: Support for armed factions contributed to deepening internal conflicts and creating a political vacuum.
Linking the past to the present: After the group was designated a terrorist organization by several countries, the focus shifted to operating through civilian and educational fronts. Influence is maintained by avoiding direct confrontation.
2020 – 2025 | Repositioning in the Shadows
After being designated a terrorist organization, the group shifted its focus to civilian fronts, educational associations, and activities in Africa and Europe. The aim is to disseminate its ideology and exert long-term influence without direct confrontation with the state or society.
The Recurring Method of Undermining Stability
The group’s trajectory over the decades can be summarized in recurring steps:
Entering under the guise of proselytizing
Building social and institutional bases
Infiltrating state and societal institutions
Confrontation upon gaining political power
Generating chaos or weakening the state
Analytical conclusion
Historical experience from 1928 to the present day confirms that the Muslim Brotherhood has not only destabilized states through direct military force, but also by gradually reproducing its social and political influence. What was practiced in Egypt and the Arab world previously is now being cleverly replicated in new regions, from Africa to Europe. This confirms that the ideology itself has not changed, but rather its tools and methods have, leaving the challenges to international stability persistent.
