The Muslim Brotherhood has been a hot topic of discussion for the past several years. Some hail it as a “strong opponent of oppressive dictatorships and radical Muslim extremists.” Others claim they are “militant Islamists” at “war on Coptic Christians.” Yet, the Brotherhood themselves claim to be “committed to peace, popular resistance and democratic transformation.” So what is the Muslim Brotherhood: Terrorist or Ally?
John Esposito, Professor of Religion & International Affairs and of Islamic Studies at Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, recently stated in a newsletter published by the Center for the Study of Islam and Democracy at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs at Georgetown University:
“For more than 30 years, Muslim Brotherhood (MB) affiliated movements and parties have been a force for democratization and stability in the Middle East…The Muslim Brotherhood has long been a strong opponent of oppressive dictatorships and radical Muslim extremists.”
Esposito continued to develop a committed defense of the Muslim Brotherhood as not only a friend and ally of democracy but a victim of terror and human rights violations. In respect to the war on ISIS, he claims that groups like the Muslim Brotherhood are essential to fighting ISIS propaganda and terrorist attacks. Further, he claims that the Muslim Brotherhood is “a target of extremist attacks.”
Esposito’s assessment of the Muslim Brotherhood seems to be in stark contrast to that of reality. Religious minorities and multiple human rights organizations attest that the one year reign of the Muslim Brotherhood under ousted President Mohamed Morsi was riddled with Muslim Brotherhood backed domestic terrorist attacks.
In reality, the Muslim Brotherhood has been responsible for attacks on Christian homes, shops, schools, clinics, and churches across Egypt. In a statement released by 16 Egyptian human rights organizations they say:
“[we] strongly condemn rhetoric employed by leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood and their allies which includes clear incitement to violence and religious hatred in order to achieve political gains…”
Brotherhood leaders in Egypt are known to incite violence and hatred against Coptic Christians, which continues to fuel persecution against Christian communities. Egyptian Christian leaders continue to condemn attacks on their congregants by Muslim Brotherhood supporters. They plead for both international and Egyptian help to stop violent attacks of arson and shootings which has left many dead. Nina Shea, the Director for the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute states:
“Egypt’s Copts and their churches are under siege as Islamists react to the military crackdown against pro-Muslim Brotherhood sit-ins. Several monasteries, churches, the Bible Society headquarters, a convent, and a Franciscan school have been burned, demolished or otherwise attacked…”
Additionally, Esposito’s claim is in direct opposition to the findings of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee which called on the Obama administration to list the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. As well as Arab nations across the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Syria, and Egypt, all which have already listed the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. Actions from these Muslim countries have clarified that this is not a war on Islam, but a war on radical Islamic extremists.
Radical Islamic extremists such as Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who was offered the Brotherhood’s top leadership position in 2004, only to turn down the offer due to poor health. In a recent speech in Europe, Al-Qaradawi praised the work of Adolf Hitler for putting Jews in their place during the Holocaust and went on to endorse suicide bombings. Al-Qaradawi stated, “the one who carries out a martyrdom operation [suicide attack] has a clear goal, and that is to please Allah.”
So what exactly defines a terrorist organization?
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) is classified by the following:
18 U.S.C. § 2331 defines “international terrorism” and “domestic terrorism” for purposes of Chapter 113B of the Code, entitled “Terrorism”:
“International terrorism” means activities with the following three characteristics:
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Involve violent acts or acts dangerous to human life that violate federal or state law;
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Appear to be intended (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and
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Occur primarily outside the territorial jurisdiction of the U.S., or transcend national boundaries in terms of the means by which they are accomplished, the persons they appear intended to intimidate or coerce, or the locale in which their perpetrators operate or seek asylum.*
Clearly, the actions of the Muslim Brotherhood more than qualify them for the title of “Foreign Terrorist Organization.” This must be recognized, and action must be taken by the U.S. government to end these terrorist attacks and establish peace. Yet we do ourselves and our Muslim neighbors a dis-service if we simply stop here. We must remember that this is not a war between Muslims and Christians, or between the West and the Middle East. For it is not. It is a fight against those who seek to kill and destroy, those who many Muslims would also classify as “extremists,” as seen by the sanctions against the Brotherhood by many Muslim countries.
As Christians, we must love our neighbor (Mark 12:31), not fear them. When you hear of the terrible attacks by Muslim extremists on Christians across the world do not allow that to stir up hatred in your heart for Muslims. Rather, pray, pray all the more for their salvation. We must also advocate on the behalf of persecuted Christians across the world and pray for their perseverance and holiness. But, we must also pray for their persecutors. Pray that God would allow them to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:43-45 ESV)
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