History of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt (1954–present)

The History of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt (1954–present) encompasses the History of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt from its suppression under Nasser to its formation into the largest opposition bloc in the Egyptian parliament. The Brotherhood operates under the slogan "Islam Is the Solution," and aims to establish an Islamic state governed by religious law. Though officially illegal in Egypt, it operates "more or less in the open." It has been described as "a deeply entrenched force, with hundreds of thousands of members and affiliates across the Middle East".

The Brotherhood under Nasser, 1954–1970

Throughout the rule of Gamal 'Abd al-Nasser in Egypt, many members of the Muslim Brotherhood were held in concentration camps, where they were tortured. Some died in custody, including 21 Brothers killed in their cells in June 1957. Those whoescaped arrest went into hiding, both in Egypt and in other countries. One of those tortured was Sayyid Qutb, former editor of the Society's newspaper, a prolific writer of fiction, literary criticism and articles on political and social issues, and author of the bestseller Social Justice in Islam, which set out the principles of an Islamic socialism. He became the Brotherhood's most influential thinker for a time, and in 1959 the organisation's General Guide, Hassan Isam'ilal-Hudaybi, gave him responsibility for the Brothers...
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