The Muslim Brotherhood, also known as the **Society of the Muslim Brothers**, or **The Brotherhood**, is an Islamist movement. Today, it exists in many states and often is one of the largest political opposition groups. The group is the world's oldest, largest, and influential Islamic political group. The group was founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna.

Goals
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The Brotherhood's stated goal is to instil the Qur'an and Sunnah as the "sole reference point for ... ordering the life of the Muslim family, individual, community ... and state". Al-Banna expressed his desire for Egypt to return to Islamic values to revitalise the people's moral and social life. The vision of the Brotherhood was to create a comprehensive system of for governance where religion and the state functioned together, based on Sharia law.

Since it was created, in 1928 the movement has officially opposed violent means to achieve its goals, with some exceptions such as in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict or to overthrow secular Ba'athist rule in Syria (see Hama massacre). This position has been questioned, particularly by the Egyptian government, which accused the group of a campaign of killings in Egypt after World War II.

In Egypt
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The Muslim Brotherhood was established as a lay organisation, not led by religious clerics, unlike other Islamist groups. The group consisted of Egyptians who had moved to the city looking for work, as well as students who had been newly educated in state-funded universities. The Brotherhood served as an outlet for young people who were disappointed with the political system, and were seeking a community and philosophical guidance on living in an increasingly modern society.

The Muslim Brotherhood is currently banned in Egypt. People have been arrested because they participated in the group. To circumvent this ban, supporters of the group often run for office as independent candidates.

The fifth president of Egypt, Mohamed Mohamed Morsi Eissa al-Ayyat, was a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. He was elected in 2012, but overthrown in 2013 by the current president of Egypt, General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Outside Egypt
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Outside Egypt, the group's political activity is more traditional and conservative. Inside Egypt, the group is modernist and wants reforms to happen. 
In Kuwait, for example, the Muslim Brotherhood says that women should not have a right to vote in elections. The Brotherhood condemned terrorism and the 9/11 attacks. Whether the group has ties to terrorist organisations is disputed.

The question whether and how to use violence has also led to disputes inside the movement. At times, those in favour of using violence split from the main group and created their own groups. Examples of such groups are Al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya (The Islamic Group) and Al Takfir Wal Hijra (Excommunication and Migration).

### Hamas

The Muslim Brotherhood first established a branch in Jerusalem, Palestine, in 1946, after the Great Revolt when Palestinians protested against the ongoing Palestine Mandate held by Britain . By 1948, there were 38 autonomous branches of the Muslim Brotherhood in Palestine. Between 1946 and 1987, activism by the Brotherhood was largely limited to social improvements and the establishment of social institutions. For example, the Islamic Centre was established and used charitable donations by Muslims (zakat) to organise a mosque, medical clinic, sports clubs. These social improvements were also aimed at providing for Palestinians who were not well served by the PLO, the rival Palestinian resistance group.

Hamas as an organisation, created out of the Muslim Brotherhood, was declared on December 14th 1987, 5 days after the first collision between an Israeli truck driver and Palestinian civilians, four of which were killed. In August of 1988, Hamas issued its own charter. which declared 

Among the Brotherhood's more influential members was Sayyid Qutb. Qutb was the author of one of Islamism's most important books, *Milestones*. The book called for the restoration of Islam by re-establishing the Sharia and by using "physical power and Jihad for abolishing the organizations and authorities of the Jahili system. Qutb believed these included the entire Muslim world. The book also reveals that Qutb no longer held the Brotherhood's ideas and that he was closer to the ideas of Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is concluded in the introduction and dedication of the book"  While studying at university, Osama bin Laden claimed to have been influenced by the religious and political ideas of several professors with strong ties to the Muslim Brotherhood including both Sayyid Qutb and his brother Muhammad Qutb. However, once Al Qaeda was fully organized, they denounced the Muslim Brotherhood's reform through nonviolence and accused them of "betraying the cause of Islam and abandoning their 'jihad' in favour of forming political parties and supporting modern state institutions".

The Brotherhood is financed by contributions from its members, who are required to allocate a part of their income to the movement. Some of these contributions are from members who live in oil-rich countries.