The Muslim Brotherhood: Analysis and testimonies

The Society of the Muslim Brotherhood did not begin its ascension to power in the wake of the so-called Arab Spring, and its history will not end there either. There are many scientific, objective and historical details both from within and outside of the Brotherhood. Many members of the Brotherhood have re-written their personal histories and the history of the organisation in general. Some wrote autobiographies (as in the case of Hassan el-Banna and other Brotherhood leaders); others wrote details of events they experienced firsthand and took part in; some wrote about the secret apparatus; others wrote autobiographies that touched upon the Brotherhood. Many within the Muslim Brotherhood were surprised by the revelation of the secret apparatus even more those outside the organisation. They wrote later expressing this, some of them having felt the magnitude of the deception to which they were subjected at the hands of the Brotherhood's leadership as represented by its General Guide, Hassan el-Banna. Many authors, such as Abbas el-Akkad, Taha Hussein and others later wrote denouncing the magnitude of the violence and bloodthirstiness that the Brotherhood held. Hassan el-Banna was fully convinced that his organisation must possess strength. Despite his trademark evasive and elaborate style, his interpretation of this concept always arrived at armed, military strength. His successor, Hassan el-Hudaybi, continues on the same route. From the womb of the Muslim Brotherhood came the religious violence in the 1970s: the al-Jihad, the Military Technical College groups and others that branded Muslims as infidels based on their thoughts and permitted fighting against them and their state as well as killing them. They also adopted the implementation of these ideas in the real world, proceeding to kill and bomb members of all social strata. The Muslim Brotherhood has long propagated the lie that it is a peaceful organisation concerned with guiding people on the path of goodness and love. This is a lie that has been believed by many who have come in incidental contact with the Brotherhood's history one way or another. Nevertheless, it was never believed by those researchers who have delved deep into the literature that has been written about the Brotherhood both from within and outside across its 80-year-plus history. They came to the conclusion that it is an organisation that supports violence and extremism; it is a wolf that adopts sheep’s clothing until reaching the moment of "enablement." The Muslim Brotherhood has preoccupied researchers for decades; the books produced by and about the organisation are innumerable. It is still under investigation and scrutiny. This is due to the Brotherhood's reliance on secrecy, lies and contradictions in its stances, statements and actions. What people know of the Brotherhood's history and discourse is a minute fraction of the reality and is characterised by a considered nebulousness. As in all fields of knowledge, the expert sees what others do not in his field or art. The same holds true for the Muslim Brotherhood. Those who have read the Brotherhood's literature and observed its history know that many can be fooled by and emerge defending the Brotherhood as if they know it inside-out. This is one of the reasons behind the proliferation of ignorance surrounding the Muslim Brotherhood. In dealing with the Brotherhood, the issue of exploitation arises for some researchers, thinly veiled Brotherhood affiliates seeking to defend the organisation regardless of its actions. In debating these, knowledge, evidence and analytical tools are not enough. There is a very crucial and effective device, here: namely, testimonies. By testimonies I mean the books, lectures and articles by contemporary members the Muslim Brotherhood has defected from the organisation. Asking those people to speak about it provides details which no outsider could ever know. These noble defectors give analysts crucial ammunition against this organisation and political Islam in general. It is in this regard that writers such as Tharwat el-Kharabawi, Abdel Sattar el-Meleigi and others are important at this point in time. They display deep historical knowledge and involvement in the organisation, along with their personal testimonies from within the corridors of power. These details shed fresh light on the history, figures, events and ideas. Tharwat al-Kharabawi has written two books about the Brotherhood and his relationship with them. The first, issued around two years ago, is Qalb al-Ikwan: mahakem tafteesh al-Gamaa [The Heart of the Brotherhood: Inquisition]. The second, issued early last year, is Serr al-Maabad: al-asrar al-khafiya le gamaat al-Ikhwan al-Muslemeen [The Secret Temple: The Hidden Secrets of the Society of the Muslim Brotherhood]. He adopted a very old literary style used by the elders of the Muslim Brotherhood that is full of digressions and abstract concepts, reducing its usefulness for the non-expert reader. Should Mr Tharwat el-Kharabawi review his two books and extract a summary restricted to a narrative of events and quotation as they were, excising stylistic flourishes and personal impressions and meditations, I believe that summary would enjoy a wider reach and be more inclusively beneficial. Al Arabiya news network is broadcasting a series of interviews with el-Kharabawi on the program al-Thakera al-siyasiya [Political Memory] and the first episode was shown last Friday. I believe that, should the program manage to distil the guests' experience as illustrated in the content of the two books, it would make it easier for non-experts to become aware of the history of such a dangerous organisation as the Muslim Brotherhood.  --- The views expressed by the author do not necessarily represent or reflect the editorial policy of Arabstoday.