Muslim Brotherhood: Influential in Egypt, Libya, & Syria

Muslim Brotherhood
الإخوان المسلمون
Al-Ikhwān Al-Muslimūn

The Muslim Brotherhood is gaining influence in the Islamic world:

Said told Newsmax the Muslim Brotherhood remains the most active political party and that many Egyptians fear it will dominate the elections if they take place this fall. Many Egyptians want to see democracy flourish.

“People are afraid that because the only faction who is preferred right now are the Muslim Brothers, that if they take part in this election, then if they win majority, it will be very difficult to change the scene again,” he said. http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/AhmedSaid-Egypt-MuslimBrotherhood/2011/09/20/id/411627

Members of the Muslim Brotherhood have been involved in the current revolution since it began in February, and group members generally say they want a state governed by Islamic law and institutions.

One of the most prominent members of the Muslim Brotherhood is Amin Belhaj, who also belongs to the Transitional National Council, the group that is currently running the country.

Belhaj says Islam should pervade every aspect of Libyan society, especially its government.

“This government should understand Islam as we believe. That’s what we want,” Belhaj says. http://www.npr.org/2011/09/21/140665324/what-role-will-islamists-play-in-libya

Syria on Saturday accused “external” forces of trying to destabilise the country with the help of “radical Islamic” groups and the US of backing the Muslim Brotherhood which he said was “responsible” for bloodshed, reports Press Trust of India. http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsworld.php?id=614115

The Muslim Brotherhood is active in other Arab lands as well.

Notice what Wikipedia reports about the geographic influence that the Muslim Brotherhood’s founder wanted to accomplish:

In the group’s belief, the Quran and Sunnah constitute a perfect way of life and social and political organization that God has set out for man. Islamic governments must be based on this system and eventually unified in a Caliphate. The Muslim Brotherhood’s goal, as stated by Brotherhood founder Hassan al-Banna was to reclaim Islam’s manifest destiny, an empire, stretching from Spain to Indonesia.

Though I do not believe that it will end up with Spain, the geographic hopes of its founder and many current supporters exceeds what most in the West would tend to think of. A caliphate from Morocco to Indonesia would be huge. Even one from Morocco to Iraq would be large. Some in the Islamic world believe that the caliphate is only a step in the ultimate goal of conquering the entire world for Islam (though Bible prophecy shows that this will not happen per Daniel 11:40-43).

Here is some of what the official English-language website of the Muslim Brotherhood teaches about its history and some of its goals:

Al-Banna was chiefly responsible for formulating the policies of this association…the idea of universal muslim state was constantly implied due to the association’s focus on Islam. While strongly disapproving of local brands of Nationalism, particularly if they were Western-inspired and secularly-minded, Banna developed his vision of Pan-Islamic Nationalism, insisting that Islam and Nationalism were complementary, especially when the latter operated within the parameter of the Islamic truth, since, for the Muslim Brethren, Islam was of course both religion and state. Here we need to analyze what was the basic concept from which Hassan al-Banna initiated to establish such Islamic organization. Then we would also explore his thought of the causes of descend of Islamic society particularly in Egypt. However, his effort and works deserved great consideration of Islamic society in the revolution to the revival of Islamic state (Caliphate)…The Muslim Brethren…believe that the caliphate is a symbol of Islamic Union and an indication of the bonds between the nations of Islam. They see the caliphate and its re-establishment as a top priority, subsequently; an association of Muslims people should be set up, which would elect the imam“.

Why keep covering the rise of the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood?

There are at least two: its goals will impact the world and its objectives seem necessary to fulfill certain biblical prophecies.

Pro-democracy Westerners need to realize that if given a real vote, a high percentage of Arabs will support less secular, more Islamic, candidates with agendas similar to those of the Muslim Brotherhood. Many in the Islamic world long for greater influence and suspect that the way to get it is to support groups that want more Islamic influence.

Of course, there are supranational Islamic groups like the Taliban, Al Qaeda and even Hamas. Yet, historically, they have had too many issues to bring about pan-Arabic unity. Additionally, have tended to be considered too radical for many Arabs. The Muslim Brotherhood, which was formed in Egypt in 1928, has tended to be considered “moderate” compared to those other groups and represents hope for many with Islamic aspirations. And it wants as its top priority a pan-national Islamic caliphate ruled by an Imam (a religious leader). Many Muslims long for the rising up of a leader called the 12th Imam, often referred to as the Imam Mahdi (who some believe has been alive for centuries).

We in the Living Church of God have long taught that a pan-Islamic leader will rise up in the Middle East and become the final King of the South in Bible prophecy (Daniel 11:40).

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)

World events are lining up with LCG’s understanding of biblical prophecy. The Muslim Brotherhood and/or Islamic groups with similar objectives will accomplish the goal of temporarily having unity among many nations in North Africa and the Middle East as Bible prophecy is calling for that (Daniel 11:40-43; Psalm 83:2-8).

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? 2011, 2012, or 2013? 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?