9 Documentaries on the Muslim Brotherhood's Influence in the Middle East
Exploring Political and Social Impact
The Muslim Brotherhood has been a significant force shaping politics and society across the Middle East for nearly a century. Founded in Egypt in 1928, this Islamist organization has expanded its influence far beyond its birthplace, establishing branches and inspiring movements throughout the region and beyond.
Documentaries offer a unique window into the complex history and evolving role of the Muslim Brotherhood in Middle Eastern affairs. Through interviews, archival footage, and expert analysis, these films explore the organization's ideology, strategies, and impact on governments and populations. They provide valuable context for understanding the Brotherhood's place in contemporary political landscapes and ongoing debates about Islam's role in governance.
1) The Muslim Brothers: The Brotherhood in Egypt
The Muslim Brotherhood emerged as a powerful force in Egyptian politics and society. Founded in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, the organization quickly spread its influence across the country.
The Brotherhood's grassroots approach and focus on social welfare programs gained it widespread support among Egyptians. It established schools, hospitals, and charitable organizations to serve local communities.
Despite facing periods of suppression under various Egyptian governments, the Muslim Brotherhood maintained a significant presence. Its members participated in elections when allowed, often achieving notable success.
The organization's relationship with the Egyptian state has been complex and often contentious. It experienced periods of relative tolerance and harsh crackdowns, depending on the political climate.
During the 2011 Egyptian Revolution, the Muslim Brotherhood played a crucial role in mobilizing protesters. This led to increased political prominence in the post-Mubarak era.
In 2012, Mohamed Morsi, a Brotherhood member, was elected president of Egypt. However, his tenure was short-lived, ending with a military coup in 2013.
Following Morsi's ouster, the Egyptian government declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization. This marked a new phase of repression for the group.
Learn more about the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt
2) Control and Dissent: Brotherhood in Syria
The Muslim Brotherhood in Syria has a complex history of political engagement and opposition. Founded in the mid-1940s, the organization initially participated in parliamentary politics during Syria's democratic period.
The Brotherhood's relationship with the Syrian government deteriorated after the Ba'ath Party seized power in 1963. Tensions escalated in the 1970s, leading to a violent campaign against the regime.
In response, the Syrian government brutally suppressed the Brotherhood. The 1982 Hama massacre marked a turning point, resulting in thousands of deaths and forcing many members into exile.
Despite setbacks, the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood has adapted its strategies over time. In recent years, it has advocated for liberal reforms and constitutional governance, seeking to reposition itself as a moderate political force.
The 2011 Syrian uprising presented new opportunities and challenges for the Brotherhood. While it played a role in the opposition, its influence within Syria remained limited due to decades of repression and exile.
Link to more information on the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood
3) Brotherhood's Role in the Arab Spring
The Arab Spring of 2010-2011 marked a pivotal moment for the Muslim Brotherhood across the Middle East. In Egypt, the Brotherhood emerged as a major political force after decades of suppression.
The group's Freedom and Justice Party won Egypt's first democratic elections in 2012. Mohamed Morsi became the country's first democratically elected president.
In Tunisia, the Brotherhood-affiliated Ennahda party also gained power through elections. They formed a coalition government in 2011.
The Brotherhood initially benefited from the fall of authoritarian regimes. Their organizational strength and grassroots support helped them capitalize on new political openings.
However, their time in power proved short-lived in some countries. In Egypt, Morsi was ousted by the military in 2013 after mass protests.
The documentary "The Square" chronicles Egypt's revolution and the Brotherhood's complex role. It provides an on-the-ground look at this turbulent period. [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2486682/]
"The Brotherhood" examines the group's history and its actions during the Arab Spring. The film explores both supporters' and critics' perspectives. [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2392488/]
4) Qatar's Influence: A Brotherhood Ally?
Qatar's relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood has been a source of tension in the Middle East. The small Gulf state has provided support and refuge to Brotherhood members, sparking controversy among its neighbors.
Qatar's backing of the Brotherhood became particularly contentious during the Arab Spring. While other Gulf countries viewed the Islamist movement with suspicion, Qatar saw it as a vehicle for change in the region.
This policy put Qatar at odds with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. These countries have designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization and view it as a threat to their regimes.
The dispute culminated in a diplomatic crisis in 2017. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism through its Brotherhood links.
Qatar's Al Jazeera network has been criticized for providing a platform to Brotherhood figures. This media influence has extended the group's reach across the Arab world.
Despite pressure, Qatar has maintained its independent foreign policy. Its strategic alliance with Turkey, another Brotherhood supporter, has helped it weather regional isolation.
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qatar_diplomatic_crisis]
5) Saudi Arabia vs. The Brotherhood
The complex relationship between Saudi Arabia and the Muslim Brotherhood has shifted dramatically over time. Initially, the Saudi kingdom welcomed Brotherhood members fleeing persecution in Egypt and other countries.
Many Brotherhood intellectuals found refuge in Saudi Arabia, influencing education and religious institutions. This cooperation lasted for decades, with both entities united in opposing secular Arab nationalism and communism.
However, tensions emerged in the 1990s as the Brotherhood's political ambitions grew. The 2011 Arab Spring marked a turning point, with the Brotherhood gaining power in Egypt through democratic elections.
Saudi Arabia viewed this development with alarm, fearing the spread of political Islam. In 2013, the kingdom backed the military coup that ousted Egypt's Brotherhood-led government.
By 2014, Saudi Arabia had officially designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. This stance aligned with other Gulf monarchies like the UAE, who saw the group as a threat to their rule.
The Saudi-Brotherhood rivalry continues to shape regional politics. It has impacted conflicts in Libya, Syria and elsewhere as both sides compete for influence across the Middle East.
The Brotherhood: Unraveling an Islamist Movement
6) The Brotherhood in Jordan: A Delicate Balance
The Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan has maintained a unique position compared to its counterparts in other Middle Eastern countries. Since its establishment in 1945, the organization has played a significant role in Jordanian politics and society.
Unlike in Egypt or Saudi Arabia, the Jordanian government has not declared the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization. Instead, the Brotherhood has been allowed to operate legally and participate in parliamentary politics through its political arm, the Islamic Action Front.
This documentary explores the complex relationship between the Jordanian state and the Muslim Brotherhood. It examines how the organization has navigated the delicate balance between opposition and cooperation with the monarchy.
The film highlights the Brotherhood's infrastructure in mosques, Qur'anic schools, and universities, which has provided a strong political base. It also discusses the group's evolution towards moderation and its efforts to adapt to changing political landscapes.
Interviews with Brotherhood members, political analysts, and government officials offer insights into the organization's future prospects and challenges in Jordan's political system.
Link to documentary information
7) Tunisia's Ennahdha Party: Brotherhood Connection
The Ennahdha Party, Tunisia's prominent Islamist political movement, has faced scrutiny over its alleged links to the Muslim Brotherhood. Founded in 1981, Ennahdha has played a significant role in Tunisia's political landscape since the 2011 Jasmine Revolution.
Rached Ghannouchi, Ennahdha's co-founder and long-time leader, has sought to distance the party from the Brotherhood label. He has positioned Ennahdha as a "Muslim democratic" party, emphasizing its commitment to democratic principles within an Islamic framework.
Critics, however, argue that Ennahdha's ideological roots and organizational structure bear similarities to the Muslim Brotherhood. The party's evolution and political strategies have been subjects of debate among scholars and policymakers.
Ennahdha's approach to governance has been pragmatic, often forming coalitions with secular parties. This has led some observers to view it as a more moderate Islamist movement compared to other Brotherhood-inspired groups in the region.
The documentary "The Making of a Democrat" explores Ghannouchi's political journey and Ennahdha's transformation in post-revolution Tunisia. It offers insights into the party's relationship with political Islam and its efforts to navigate Tunisia's democratic transition.
[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2498636/]
8) Brotherhood Ties with Turkey: Erdogan's Support
Turkey's relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood shifted significantly under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. His government initially provided strong support to the organization, particularly after the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011.
Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) shared ideological similarities with the Brotherhood. This alignment led Turkey to become a safe haven for Brotherhood members fleeing crackdowns in Egypt and other countries.
The Turkish leader openly backed Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president and a Brotherhood member. When Morsi was ousted in 2013, it strained relations between Turkey and Egypt.
However, recent years have seen a change in Turkey's stance. Facing economic challenges and seeking to improve regional ties, Erdogan's government has distanced itself from the Brotherhood.
This shift has put the organization's survival in question, as it loses one of its last major supporters in the region. The cooling of Turkish support marks a significant setback for the Muslim Brotherhood's influence in the Middle East.
Link to more information on Turkey-Muslim Brotherhood relations
9) Brotherhood's Impact on Yemen's Politics
Yemen's Muslim Brotherhood, represented by the Islah party, has played a significant role in shaping the country's political landscape. Following the Yemeni revolution, the Brotherhood sought to expand its alliances and influence.
The group's efforts to gain power often came at the expense of their revolutionary partners. This strategy risked eroding public support for the Brotherhood in Yemen.
In recent years, the Brotherhood's relationship with Saudi Arabia has deteriorated. Riyadh no longer views Yemen's Brotherhood as part of the traditional tribal and religious setup, but as a branch of an international organization.
The Brotherhood's influence on the ground in Yemen has waned. Their attempts to mobilize protests, such as during COP27 in November 2022, largely failed to gain traction.
Despite these setbacks, the Brotherhood maintains some ability to shape public opinion through social media channels. Their future role in Yemen's politics remains uncertain as the country continues to navigate complex internal and regional dynamics.
Yemen's Muslim Brotherhood: Islah Party
Historical Context of the Muslim Brotherhood
The Muslim Brotherhood emerged as an influential Islamist movement in Egypt during the early 20th century. It quickly spread across the Middle East, advocating for a return to Islamic principles in governance and society.
Origins and Founding Principles
The Muslim Brotherhood was founded in 1928 in Ismailia, Egypt, by Hassan al-Banna, a schoolteacher. Al-Banna established the organization in response to British colonial rule and Western influence in Egypt. The group's core principles centered on promoting Islamic values and resisting foreign domination.
The Brotherhood's initial focus was on social and educational reform. It advocated for a return to the Quran and Hadith as guidelines for modern Islamic society. This approach gained traction among Egyptians seeking alternatives to Western ideologies.
As membership grew, the Brotherhood expanded its activities to include political activism and charity work. This multifaceted approach helped solidify its base of support across various segments of Egyptian society.
Key Figures in the Movement
Hassan al-Banna, the founder, played a crucial role in shaping the Brotherhood's ideology and organizational structure. His charismatic leadership attracted followers and helped establish the movement's early foundations.
Sayyid Qutb emerged as another influential figure in the 1950s and 1960s. His writings, particularly "Milestones," became foundational texts for many Islamist groups. Qutb's ideas on Islamic governance and resistance to secular authority greatly influenced the Brotherhood's direction.
Muhammad al-Badi, who became the organization's leader in 2010, marked a shift in the Brotherhood's strategy. His leadership coincided with the group's increased political involvement during the Arab Spring and its brief period in power in Egypt.
Political Influence in the Middle East
The Muslim Brotherhood has exerted significant political influence across the Middle East, particularly in Egypt and several other countries in the region. Its impact has shaped political landscapes and sparked debates about the role of political Islam.
Impact on Egyptian Politics
The Muslim Brotherhood played a pivotal role in Egypt's political sphere. In 2012, Mohamed Morsi, the Brotherhood's candidate, won the presidency. This marked a historic moment as the first democratically elected Islamist leader in the Arab world.
The Brotherhood's time in power was short-lived. Morsi's rule faced widespread protests and opposition. In 2013, the military, led by Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, ousted Morsi in a coup.
Following the coup, Egypt's government designated the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. This led to a crackdown on its members and supporters. Many Brotherhood leaders were arrested or forced into exile.
Influence in Other Middle Eastern Countries
The Muslim Brotherhood's influence extends beyond Egypt to other parts of the Middle East. In Tunisia, the Ennahda party, inspired by the Brotherhood, gained political power after the 2011 revolution.
Jordan's Islamic Action Front, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, has participated in parliamentary elections. In Kuwait, Brotherhood-affiliated candidates have won seats in the National Assembly.
The group's influence varies across countries. Some governments, like the United Arab Emirates, have banned the Brotherhood. Others, such as Turkey under President Erdogan, have shown support for Brotherhood-aligned groups.
The Brotherhood's political activities have sparked debates about the compatibility of Islamist ideology with democratic governance. Its influence continues to shape political discourse in the region.
