Brotherhood rifts giving bigger role to US branch
The Muslim Brotherhood goes through a complex stage in its history, one characterized by conflict and divisions as well as failures.
This raises questions about whether
these conditions will affect the institutions of the international organization
of the Muslim Brotherhood in the United States.
They also raise questions about the
extent to which the group can do without its Middle East branches and increase
dependence on its branches in the West.
Rifts are marring the group as its
leaders lock horns. Two fronts have already formed, one backing incumbent
supreme guide Ibrahim Muneer, and another backing secretary-general Mahmud
Hussein.
These rifts were fueled by the
imprisonment of the group's guide, Mohamed Badie.
The disputes between the leaders of
the movement in the Middle East seem to be seeping out of the region and into
Brotherhood branches in the West, affecting these branches.
Brotherhood in the US
The US branch of the Muslim
Brotherhood is comparatively affective, especially among minorities and US
politicians.
It applies the teachings of
Brotherhood founder, Hassan al-Banna, by moving between the layers of society
from the lowest to the highest.
The group has clear access to the
classes of politicians and decision-makers in the US through good relations
with Senator Ilhan Omar and other politicians who are often present in the
group’s activities.
The activities of the US branch of
the Brotherhood are characterized by identification with the political and
social developments to ensure better engagement with the different layers of
society, especially minorities.
The same branch has continued during
the last two years to expand its activities, taking advantage of the various
events that occurred in the country.
It created a popular base that is
likely to enable it to be the most effective branch of the organization in the
West, as it took advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to get closer to needy
classes as well as increase its financial resources.
