Organizational Rifts within Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood and the Question of Violence

Abstract

This article traces the rift within Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood since the July 2013 military coup. It argues that the tensions within the Brotherhood that became public in early 2015 have led to the formation of two organizations within the movement, each with its own leadership, structure, and media outlets. The article contends that the split within the Brotherhood between the two camps—the pacifists and the revolutionists—is over leadership, legitimacy, and strategy. Furthermore, the article investigates whether the revolutionists have espoused the use of violence against al-Sisi regime. Its findings confirm that while the revolutionists do not adopt any of the violent actions against the regime, they tolerate the use of violence in the name of qisas, self-defense, and retaliation. These findings are based on a thorough review of the official statements of the revolutionary camp within the Brotherhood.