Mısır'da sekülerizasyon ve desekülerizasyon: Müslüman Kardeşlerin yükselişi

The Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt has been one of the most organized and powerful Islamist movements. Although there are many studies that explain the gradual rise of Muslim Brotherhood as a reaction to top-down secularization, there are not enough studies on the effects of desecularization (reversal of secularization) on this movement. Mainstream approach assumes that secularization process is imposed from above and temporary, while desecularization is spontaneous and natural. This approach prevents us from seeing the use of religion by leaders to legitimize their policies at times. In this thesis, the effects of state-led secularization and desecularization processes on the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt is examined. Ideologies and policies of different rulers in the 20th century, and the Muslim Brotherhood's response to them are analysed. Major theoretical approaches about secularization and desecularization processes are examined and recent trends in the literature are critically discussed in the first chapter. In the second chapter, the long history of secularization and desecularization in Egypt is explored. Particularly the factors that caused the revival of religion in politics since Sadat, like socio-economic problems, military defeat against Israel, decline of pan-Arabism, withdrawal of state from economy and social policy, growing alienation between society and government, the effects of external powers, are studied. In the last chapter, the transformation of the Muslim Brotherhood since the early 20th century until the recent fall of Morsi is discussed. Its relations with Egyptian leaders, with other political and societal groups, and with regional and global powers, is examined.