The Muslim Brotherhood and their quiet revolution

The Muslim Brotherhood attempted to wage what has been called a "quiet revolution" from 1928 to 1982, seeking to impose societal change through a gradual Islamization of society. In its efforts it utilized the printed word, preaching, and social activity. This study examines the transformation of the Muslim Brotherhood and Sisterhood movements and aspects of the political culture in which they operated. It analyzes its organizational arrangements, language, ideology, forms of communication, imagery, strategies, tactics and goals, all components of political culture. This study argues that Islamist groups cannot be studied as monolithic movements or entities, but that they constitute a variety of movements that each have their own political cultures, institutions, and formal interaction with society. Central to this focus on interaction is the Muslim Brotherhood's relations with the state and state policy towards the religious sphere in Egypt. It is its relations with the state, it is argued, which ultimately caused the organization's evolution into an illegal opposition movement. It also explains, in part, its violent history despite many non-violent activities. The sources illuminate the Muslim Brotherhood's evolution by examining their activities and organizational changes, and reveal the importance of women and their participation in the movement. This study argues that it is necessary in order to understand the Muslim Brotherhood, to exam the role which women played in its history. Despite attempts of scholars to analyze the Muslim Brotherhood, several of the questions the movement raised remain unanswered. Tracing the evolution of the Muslim Brotherhood movement requires a focus on activities, issues, gender relations, membership, and relations with authority. The differences that were found reflect not only the transformation of social and economic conditions of the respective periods, but shed light on the dynamics of opposition groups over time.