Eliminating the Muslim Brotherhood

The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in Egypt by Hassan al-Banna in March 1928 as an Islamist religious, political, and social movement. The group spread to other Muslim countries but its largest organization was in Egypt, where for many years it was the best-organized and most disciplined opposition force. As a social welfare group it offered many services to the poor. Following the overthrow of Mubarak in February 2011 the group was formally legalized and launched the Freedom and Justice Party. The Brotherhood’s candidate for president, Mohamed Morsi was elected in 2012. A year later he was overthrown in a military coup. He and many of his associates and supporters are in prison. Others have been tortured and killed. The new regime of Gen. Sisi has conducted a massive campaign of repression of the Brotherhood, declaring it illegal and a terrorist organization.