Brotherhood to take over Egypt?

February 1st, 2011

 

The current uprising in Egypt could very likely bring about a chain of events similar to those in Iran in 1979 – democratic protests followed by an Islamist regime. While the Muslim Brotherhood may not be the leader of the uprisings in Egypt, it is the only large organized opposition group. It is bound at some point to become the leading force of the protests, especially if the regime is overthrown. 
According to the latest Pew poll, 30% of Egyptians are pro-Hezbollah, 49% are pro-Hamas, and 20% “smile” at al-Qaeda. 1 out of every 5 Egyptian favors extreme Islamist terrorist groups, while 1 in every 3 supports revolutionary Islamists in other countries. This does not tell us exactly how many Egyptians would favor an Islamist government in Egypt, but certainly paints a very frightening picture. 
Furthermore, 82% of Egyptians want stoning as the punishment for adulterers, 77% prefer whippings and hand amputations for stealing, and 84% want the death penalty for converts from Islam. 
These findings indicate that a large majority of Egypt’s population would support the Muslim Brotherhood as the future leaders of the country. This prospect has the potential for very negative repercussions throughout the Middle East – for Israel in particular – for America, and for other Western democracies. 

The current uprising in Egypt could very likely bring about a chain of events similar to those in Iran in 1979 – democratic protests followed by an Islamist regime. While the Muslim Brotherhood may not be the leader of the uprisings in Egypt, it is the only large organized opposition group. It is bound at some point to become the leading force of the protests, especially if the regime is overthrown. 

According to the latest Pew poll, 30% of Egyptians are pro-Hezbollah, 49% are pro-Hamas, and 20% “smile” at al-Qaeda. 1 out of every 5 Egyptian favors extreme Islamist terrorist groups, while 1 in every 3 supports revolutionary Islamists in other countries. This does not tell us exactly how many Egyptians would favor an Islamist government in Egypt, but certainly paints a very frightening picture. 

Furthermore, 82% of Egyptians want stoning as the punishment for adulterers, 77% prefer whippings and hand amputations for stealing, and 84% want the death penalty for converts from Islam. 

These findings indicate that a large majority of Egypt’s population would support the Muslim Brotherhood as the future leaders of the country. This prospect has the potential for very negative repercussions throughout the Middle East – for Israel in particular – for America, and for other Western democracies. 

 

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Author: Emily

Comments

What the writer doesnt tell you, or doesnt know...
Posted by Anonymous on Wed, 2011-11-16 15:13

While seculars are cautious around the Muslim Brotherhood, Muslim Brotherhood is NOT a "radical" islamist group in an academic sense (and keep in mind, academics are the ones who create the definitions), they are moderates or "political" islamists. While they have had some shady dealings (and only under regimes), they do not promote violence.

It is also quite possible that the majority of Egyptians do support the Muslim Brotherhood to some degree, since the Brotherhood aided a lot of those who were impoverished under the Mubarak regime. Of course, the wealthier and educated classes do tend to be more secular, the Brotherhood isnt the worst thing in the world for Egypt.

There was an effort that got some speed in the mid-90's to install and Islamic Democracy by a spin off group from the Brotherhood and it had female activist supporters, Coptic christian supporters, and had a wide amount of known Muslim Brotherhood supporters. Eventually it fell because there are some who felt the grp betrayed the Brotherhood, but it doesnt minus the fact that there is a following within the brotherhood that would be open to Democracy and a pluralist society, as long as it conforms with the frame of Islam.

And who are we westerners to judge? Originally our system began with christianity, and slowly over time christianity has had less of a role in our states, but its still quite present in some of them.

Different region means a different spin, im all for democracy but to force them to conform to western standards is ridiculous, politics must evolve to that point, and an Islamic democracy can be a starting point.

You are right, The Muslim
Posted by Lee_Patterson on Mon, 2011-02-21 16:35

You are right, The Muslim Brotherhood will in all likely-hood take over Egypt, with the help of Brack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The USA could inverene in the Affairs of Egypt, but would say or do anything about the uprisings in IRAN. WHY? Because I think President Obama is a closet Muslim and secretly approves of the Hitler of Iran.

Pew poll?
Posted by Anonymous on Sun, 2011-02-13 23:03

Please post a link to the latest Pew Poll you are referring to.

Egypt and Islam?
Posted by Anonymous on Wed, 2011-02-09 23:22

Emily, the figures you state... what study are they from? Am we supposed to believe the numbers just because you write them? Sources would help, otherwise it is just a bunch of BS.