Film Guide The Brotherhood June 2013 Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/resources/classroom
Abstract This film guide offers a framework for analyzing The Brotherhood, a 2007 PBS documentary following Newsweek journalists Mark Hosenball and Michael Isikoff as they investigate the Muslim Brotherhood organization in Egypt and its supporters around the globe. Topics discussed in the documentary include the nature of the Muslim Brotherhood, its variously peaceful and violent reputations, and whether the United States needs to engage this and other Islamist movements. The core text of the guide contains a synopsis of the documentary as well as historical context on the Muslim Brotherhood, particularly in Egypt, where it was founded and remains highly influential. Complementing the core text are a list of key terms, discussion questions, and a guide to further readings for more information on the Muslim Brotherhood About this Film Guide This film guide was crafted under the editorial direction of Eric Patterson, visiting assistant professor in the Department of Government and associate director of the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University. This film guide was made possible through the support of the Henry Luce Foundation and the Luce/SFS Program on Religion and International Affairs. 2 BERKLEY CENTER FOR RELIGION, PEACE & WORLD AFFAIRS AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
Contents Synopsis Historical Context Key Terms Discussion Questions Further Reading 4 4 5 6 7 Citation Title: The Brotherhood Original Release: 2007 Run Time: 60 minutes Producers: Steve Hewlett, Tony Stark Correspondents: Mark Hosenball, Michael Isikoff Language: English with no subtitles DVD Release: 2007 (PBS) Film Guide The Brotherhood 3
The Brotherhood (2007) Synopsis The Brotherhood takes a penetrating look inside the secretive Muslim Brotherhood (MB), an Islamist organization founded in Egypt in 1928 and now an international movement for the promotion of fundamentalist Islam. Some view the MB as a peaceful, pro-democracy force in the Muslim world, while others accuse the group of fomenting political and religious violence and inspiring Islamist terrorist groups. The documentary follows award-winning Newsweek journalists Mark Hosenball and Michael Isikoff as they question MB members and sympathizers about the diversified and somewhat nebulous movement, which advocates peaceful coexistence between different religious groups while also supporting suicide bombings against Israel and being seen as an inspiration by various militant jihadist groups. Hosenball and Isikoff begin their investigation by tracking down Mamoun Darkazanli, an MB sympathizer who has been accused of involvement with the Al-Qaeda terrorist organization and several violent attacks on Western targets, and who now lives in Hamburg, Germany. They next speak with Youssef Nada, who once traveled across the globe to meet with foreign leaders on behalf of the Brotherhood, and who is now alleged by the United States and the United Nations to be a terrorist financier, which he denies. The investigators then meet with Abdulrahman Alamoudi, who was an influential and seemingly moderate voice in the American Islamic community until it was revealed that he supported various terrorist groups and was involved in a plot to assassinate the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, for which he is now serving 23 years in a US prison. The overarching question that looms throughout The Brotherhood is whether the United States should engage with the MB as a potential ally toward democratization and inter-religious harmony across the Muslim world, or whether the United States should shun the MB or even approach the movement as an enemy. HIstorical context Hassan al-banna founded the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in Egypt in 1928. The organization now spans several countries with various causes of primary importance. The MB is a political, religious and charitable organization and demonstrates its commitment to each aspect in the Bylaws of the International Muslim Brotherhood. A few of the MB s goals are: The need to inform the masses, Muslims and non-muslims of Islamic teachings, explaining the signs in detail to those who understand the pure human nature upon which Allah Has [sic] created man. Distinguish the universality of Islam, in addition to refuting fallacy. Make efforts to raise the standard of living of marginalized people and contribute to the further growth and development of the nation s wealth. Achieve social justice and expand social insurance to cover every citizen. Fight poverty, disease, ignorance, hunger, depravity; encourage and invite others towards virtue, righteousness, and piety. Guidance and admonition which is sound approach suitable for Muslims in the fields of education, legislation, judiciary, administration, military life, economy, health, and governance. This may be aimed at by presenting thorny issues to the competent authorities in order to persuade the world s legislative and executive bodies to follow through with the original conceptual thinking and the tactical implementation with the necessity to work hard to refine the media guided by Islam. 4 BERKLEY CENTER FOR RELIGION, PEACE & WORLD AFFAIRS AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
The Muslim Brotherhood has, however, been linked to extreme Islamists and terrorist activities. Prior to the successful popular uprising against President Hosni Mubarak in 2011, the government of Egypt had banned the MB from forming a political party because it feared the group would create an Islamic state. The United States does not consider the MB to be a terrorist organization but does consider specific individuals linked to it to be extremely dangerous. Indeed, Article 3e of the MB bylaws states, the Islamic nation must be fully prepared to fight the tyrants and the enemies of Allah as a prelude to establishing an Islamic state. Some followers, like Sayyid Qutb, have expanded on that idea by openly advocating jihad as an armed struggle against un-islamic forces. The ideas of MB members have influenced men who have orchestrated devastating terrorist attacks, such as Osama bin Laden. Some countries governments are wary of the Muslim Brotherhood, but the MB has a lot of grassroots support, particularly in Egypt. The MB provides much needed social services to the public, ranging from education and job training to health programs. The quality of the public services in Egypt tends to be low and the MB provides inexpensive alternative or buffer programs. As a banned political organization in the 2000 Egyptian elections, MB members ran as independents and secured 17 seats in the Parliament, becoming the largest legislative opposition bloc. The MB s popularity with the Egyptian public was demonstrated in 2005 when the MB won nearly five times the amount of seats it held in Parliament from the previous election, again through MB members running as independents. The 2005 election was rampant with government corruption despite President Mubarak s guarantee that the elections would be free and fair. The unexpected success of the MB throughout the elections prompted President Mubarak to implement additional restrictions against opposition groups, like the 2007 anti-terror bill, which led to the jailing of many of the MB members in Parliament. Since the 2011 Egyptian Revolution ousted Mubarak from power, the MB has successfully translated its popular appeal into political power. In June 2012, a highly contested democratic election saw Mohamed Morsi, a prominent Brotherhood member, elected to the Egyptian presidency. The MB is indeed a multifaceted organization. It inspires many and provides important services to even more. However, the sometimes-violent reputation of the MB precedes the group and its charitable aspects, and it is that very image that makes many governments uncertain about if or how they should engage the group. For reference, the following is a list of the General Leaders of the MB in Egypt: 1928 1949: Hassan al Banna 1949 1972: Hassan al-hudaybi 1972 1986: Umar al-tilmisani 1986 1996: Muhammad Hamid Abu al-nasr 1996 2002: Mustafa Mushhur 2002 2004: Ma mun al-hudaybi 2004 2010: Mohammed Mahdi Akef January 16, 2010 present: Mohammed Badie Key Terms Identify and discuss the following: Muslim Brotherhood Al-Tawqa Bank Youssef Nada Sharia Al-Qaeda Taliban Hamas Hassan al-banna Sayyid Qutb Mamoun Darkazanli Abdulrahman Alamoudi Ali Sadreddine Bayanouni Jihad Islamism Film Guide The Brotherhood 5
Discussion Questions 1. The Muslim Brotherhood is a political, religious, and charitable organization. Identify examples of each of these facets of the group from the documentary. Discuss the perception a poor Egyptian worker might have of the MB versus that of a Western government. 2. The following quote is played around 6m30s: Islam is a gift from God and will eventually take over the world. Is that belief specific to Islam? Christianity, in particular, focuses on proselytization. Discuss whether Americans would react in the same way to the expansion of Islam as they would to Christian expansion? Discuss how Turks, Iraqis, or Saudis might react? Identify the reasons each group might react in that way. 3. While the journalists are interviewing Youssef Nada, he states that, while Palestinian suicide bombing is not legitimate, it is understandable A bad reaction for bad actions (27m40s). Is this a realistic assessment of the situation or does it go too far in the direction of excusing the violence? Discuss ways the MB might be more fervent in their protests against the use of terrorism. 4. The Bush administration had a policy of non-communication with the MB until the group takes a clear anti-terrorist stand. Explain why or why not you would adopt the same policy. Nada explains that the day will come when the United States will have to deal with MB if it wants peace in the Middle East (53m30s). Should the United States communicate with the MB or not? If it should, should the United States demand certain prerequisites of the MB in order for dialogue, such as a clear stand against terrorism? Why or why not? 5. Identify the goals of Islamists. In your perspective, do these goals align with democracy? Why do some Muslims argue that Islam and democracy are compatible? How would you defend each side of this position? 6 BERKLEY CENTER FOR RELIGION, PEACE & WORLD AFFAIRS AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
Further Readings Abbas, Hassan. Pakistan s Drift Into Extremism: Allah, The Army, And America s War On Terror. Armonk: M.E. Sharpe, 2004. Baker, Raymond William. Islam Without Fear: Egypt and the New Islamists. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2006. Brachman, Jarret. Global Jihadism: Theory and Practice. New York: Routledge, 2008. Cook, David. Understanding Jihad. Berkley, CA: University of California Press, 2005. Dawisha, Adeed. Arab Nationalism in the Twentieth Century From Triumph to Despair. New York: Princeton University Press, 2005. Jansen, Johannes J.G. The Neglected Duty: The Creed of Sadat s Assassins and Islamic Resurgence in the Middle East. New York: Macmillan Company, 1986. Kepel, Gilles and Anthony F. Roberts. Jihad: The Trail of Political Islam. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003. Kepel, Gilles. The War for Muslim Minds: Islam and the West. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2006. Meddeb, Abdelwahab. Malady of Islam. Darby, PA: Diane Co, 2003. Mitchell, Richard. The Society of the Muslim Brothers. London: Oxford University Press, 1969. Patterson, Eric D. and John Gallagher. Debating the War of Ideas. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009. BBC Online. Muslim Brotherhood accuses Egypt police of harassment. Middle East. March 29, 2010. Available: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8592917.stm IRIN News Online. Egypt: Social programmes bolster appeal of Muslim Brotherhood. February 22, 2006. Available: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=26150 Washington Post Online. Egypt s Ugly Election. Editorials. December 10, 2005. Available: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/09/ AR2005120901837.html Film Guide The Brotherhood 7