Political Islamist movements in the Middle East: Egypt as a case study

While North African and Middle Eastern countries were once part of the Ottoman State lands they have been the scene of imperialist practices of the Western States. After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the British were the first to settle the area. The main reasons of British settlement in this area are the strategic Suez Canal, the Nile and the fertile lands of Egypt. As it has a very old history and culture, many politicians and scholars such as Cemaleddin Afgani, Muhammed Abduh and Reşid Rıza resided and studied in Egypt. Afghani's presence in Egypt paved the way for the anti-British rhetoric and action. The UK and foreign opposition started by Afgani was continued by his students Abduh and Rıza. The movement started in Egypt against imperialism and the UK took power from Islamism. By founding The Muslim Brotherhood Society in 1928 Hasan Al Benna institutionalized the Islamist movement, which he inherited from his mentors. The main Islamist movement and the Muslim Brotherhood's political and religious activities, gave direction to political Islamism in Egypt. Egyptian political Islamism and the Muslim Brotherhood first struggled against England then the monarchy / king and then the despotic administrators. In this thesis the main Islamist movement the Muslim Brotherhood's political and ideological change and transformation since its establishment are considered. The Muslim Brotherhood, returning to the original sources of Islam, aims to create an Islamic society in an Islamic state. On the other hand, although the Muslim Brotherhood was banned, its entry into politics through political parties with different ideologies, has led to changes in thinking of the movement on Western values such as democracy, pluralism, human rights, the rule of law, ethnic and religious / sectarian minority issues. In this study, political Islamism and the Caliphate Congress which caused the establishment of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, and its involvement in politics, relations with the regime, and so on is studied. In addition, the process began with the Arab Spring including the period of the Supreme Military Council after Hosni Mubarak's ouster on January 25, 2011, the first ruling experience of the Muslim Brotherhood in their history, the removal of the Muslim Brotherhood from power during the by July 3, 2013 coup and their relations with the coup were examined. The Muslim Brotherhood supporters against the emerging coup and Sisi fans supporting the coup have also been evaluated. Also, the leader of the coup Abdel Fattah Al Sisi's new constitutional referendum and the presidential elections were examined in detail. Additionaly, the actors of political Islamism in Egypt and their attitudes before and after the July 3, 2013 coup and the current situation of political Islamism in the country were mentioned. Key Words: Political Islamism in Egypt, The Muslim Brotherhood, Arab Spring, January 25, 2011 Revolution.