Egypt Court Bans Muslim Brotherhood Activities

In one short year, the Muslim Brotherhood went from winning Egypt’s first democratic election to being cast as a pariah: An Egyptian court has “banned all of its activities and ordered the confiscation of its financial assets,” report Laura King and Ingy Hassieb for the Los Angeles Times, and they question whether such rapid reversal “by an increasingly authoritarian interim government will provoke a backlash, enhancing the movement's prestige in the eyes of supporters, and stiffening the resolve of its remaining followers.” Egypt, with the largest population in the Middle East and the strategic Suez Canal, has a pivotal role in regional trade and politics. In July, Egypt’s military overthrew President Mohammed Morsi who had won a majority of votes in a 2012 runoff election. The military has since cracked down on the Brotherhood’s NGO and political activities, labeling supporters as criminals and terrorists. The interim government promises new elections, and the saga suggests that Egyptians are impatient for stability. But impatience may not lead to strong institutions or justice. – YaleGlobal