How ‘Moderate’ is Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood?
Muslim Brotherhood
الإخوان المسلمون
Al-Ikhwān Al-Muslimūn
The Muslim Brotherhood is getting more political control in Egypt and some consider that it is a ‘moderate’ Islamic group that is highly beneficial:
Imtiyaz Yusuf 14 February 2012…The election in Egypt was a victory for Muslim moderates or the Democratic Alliance led by the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) in coalition with secular parties, winning 235 seats (46 per cent).
Hasnet Lais, 14 February 2012.Contrary to the fears of some western observers, Islam has had a strong tradition af rule of law and religious and political freedom. There is no reason for concern about the electoral success of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt…Despite the absence of a soundly delineated political agenda from either party, far from sidelining religious teachings to the peripheries, it would appear Egypt is on the brink of a model of government where Islam is touted as the de facto solution to the country’s social, economic and political woes…Well firstly, it may help to remind some of our less informed and unenlightened ‘Islamistphobes’, that history bears witness to the successful application of governing systems steeped in Islamic law.
Well, many in Israeli and many woman may have a different view:
NewsMax.com – 14 February 2012…Muslim Brotherhood officials are…warning that cuts in aid could affect Cairo’s peace treaty with Israel…Top Muslim Brotherhood official Essam el-Erian has said that a cut in aid would violate the U.S.-brokered 1979 peace agreement with Israel and could lead to changes in the terms of the peace treaty, according to CNS.FrontPage Magazine – 14 February 2012In a recent TV interview, Hazim Abu Ismail, a candidate for Egypt’s presidency with affiliations to both the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis, made clear that the hijab, or veil for women, would be enforced under his leadership. More importantly, along the way he exposed his general views—that there is little freedom under Islam.
The Muslim Brotherhood has greatly increased its influence in Egypt and other Arab nations. And has gotten USA support in various ways. Notice what an Israeli news source reported:
A US-Egypt Brotherhood is no friend of Israel’s
Written by Charles Bybelezer Tuesday, 31 January 2012… And what to make of the Middle East Media Research Institute’s (MEMRI) recent report regarding virulent antisemitic writings appearing on the Brotherhood’s website, Ikhwanonline.com?MEMRI found that, “The website…contains articles with antisemitic motifs, including Holocaust denial and descriptions of the ‘Jewish character’ as covetous, exploitative, and a source of evil in human society.… Among these are articles calling to kill Zionists and praising the Sept. 9, 2011 attack on the Israeli Embassy in Cairo.… In addition to antisemitic content, articles on the site also include praise for jihad and martyrdom.…”
http://www.jewishtribune.ca/TribuneV2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5438&Itemid=53
In other words, some in Israel believe that the Muslim Brotherhood cannot be trusted. I would suggest that if they stand for what they have historically stood for that political and other freedoms are going to be reduced. Here is some of what the Muslim Brotherhood has said about itself:
What is the Muslim Brotherhood?
The world’s largest and most influential Islamist movement. Founded in Egypt in 1928, the group was originally focused on ridding the country of corrupting secular influences brought by British colonial rule. Over the years, it established branches and affiliates in many countries to promote traditional Sunni Islamic morals, social justice, and the eradication of poverty and corruption. “The Islamic nation,” its charter states, “must be fully prepared to fight the tyrants and the enemies of Allah as a prelude to establishing an Islamic state”—ideally a re-established caliphate, stretching from Spain across the Middle East and Central Asia to Indonesia, to be governed according to Islamic sharia law. (Understanding the Muslim Brotherhood. February 14, 2011. © The Muslim Brotherhood. http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=28019 viewed 11/21/2011)
Something resembling the Islamic caliphate state that the Muslim Brotherhood wants ultimately will form.
Notice a few comments from leaders in the Living Church of God in 2011:
The virtual “tsunami” of Middle East and North African nations overthrowing their secular rulers is coming along day by day even as I write. This—as we have explained—could clear the way for the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamic extremists to take over much of the Middle East. Such an event would “prepare the way” for the coming “Mahdi”—the Islamist religious/political leader who will no doubt become the biblically prophesied “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40). He will probably lead in the provocation of the “King of the North” described in that same inspired prophecy in Daniel 11. And this will set in motion the final chain of events leading up to “Armageddon,” and then Jesus Christ’s return as King of kings (Revelation 11:15)! (Meredith RC. Tomorrow’s World subscriber letter, May 9, 2011)
Ultimately, the “Arab Spring” will not produce widespread “Western-friendly” democracy throughout the Mideast! Consider that, after 57 years in exile, the fundamentalist Muslim Brotherhood is now Egypt’s “best organized political movement” (The New York Times, June 19, 2011). Months after Egypt’s supposed move toward democracy, Egyptian “mobs” are attacking pro-democracy “liberal activists,” while “hundreds of thousands of Islamists” are working toward “transforming Egypt into an Islamic state” (Wall Street Journal, August 2, 2011)! Although many do desire peace, a terrible conflict is brewing, and Muslim fundamentalism is spreading…Scripture reveals that before Jesus Christ’s return, there will be a final war between a “king of the South” (a leader of the Middle Eastern regions now primarily under the sway of Islam) and a false form of “Christianity” dominated by the “king of the North” and a blasphemous “Holy Roman Empire.” (Cieselka W. Islam: At War with Christianity? Tomorrow’s World magazine, Sept-Oct 2011, p. 27)
Events are moving forward.
One of the leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood (or perhaps simply associated with distantly) may well become the King of the South that the Bible foretells (Daniel 11:40).
Jesus said to “watch” (Mark 13:37).
Some articles of related interest may include:
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi? What does the Bible say?
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims?
Is There an Islamic Antichrist? Is Joel Richardson correct that the final Antichrist will be Islamic and not European? Find out.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2012, 2013, or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000?
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