The Brotherhood’s ‘Holy’ White Lies

El-Watan, Egypt, November 17

Ever since its inception, the Muslim Brotherhood promoted a culture of lying and deception to promote its political goals. Lying, according to the Muslim Brotherhood, is an integral part of the movement’s core strategy, as the group’s founding father, Hassan al-Banna, made clear. Its members describe the Brotherhood as a political body; a sports group; a scientific and cultural association; an economic organization; and a social enterprise. This allows them to mold the group into whatever they want it to be based on the context in which it operates. This ambiguity allows the Brotherhood to achieve several goals. First, it helps members conceal their affiliation with the group. A Brotherhood member will never admit to being a member. Second, the Brotherhood claims to be a moderate movement promoting religious tolerance, condemning terrorism, and cultivating unity. But if you look at what they say in their mosques or write in their textbooks, the message is completely different. Third, the movement can spread rumors and misinformation in order to harm its enemies. Some examples include warning of an impending economic collapse, or making up facts about widespread protests against the government. Fourth, lying allows the movement to take advantage of, and benefit from, Western democracy. Because the group operates in several different realities, it can never be classified merely as a religious movement or a political group. Therefore, it can easily grow its foothold under the pretext of free speech. Ultimately, however, despite what the Brotherhood and its members say, what matters more is what they do. It’s clear beyond any doubt that while its members talk about “unity” and “religious understanding,” what the Muslim Brotherhood really wants is to restore its political power and assume control over the Middle East. – Maher Farghaly (translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)