Abuse Or Misuse: History, Religion, The Muslim Brotherhood And The State In Egypt

This paper examines how religion has influenced Egyptian politics from its very beginning until modern Egypt, which is represented by the rule of the presidents Nasser, Sadat, Mubarak and Mursi. The history of the religious groups that have played a major role in Egyptian politics, mainly the Muslim Brotherhood, will be studied too. When and how did religious groups first emerge, and what differentiate them from other groups in other Arab/Islamic countries? This paper studies the Muslim brotherhood and their role in Egypt’s politics from Naser’s regime till Mursi. It also examines theconsequences of religious-based groups on repression policies by the state’s institutions. It concludes that the state always prefers a secular and citizenship-based state while religious groups, mainly Islamists, prefer Islam-based state.