Jordan’s Muslim Brotherhood has been widely criticized by moderate Islamist figures for sacking three prominent members last week for their role in launching the Zamzam Initiative, a reform movement that seeks reconciliation with the state. The three men, Irhail Gharaibeh, Nabil Kofahi and Jamil Dheisat, were tried in absentia by the group’s internal tribunal after charges were brought against them last December.

Although the ruling was expected, the timing was not. The Muslim Brotherhood has been under pressure since the fall of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi last July, and more recently when Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates designated the group as a terrorist organization. While the Muslim Brotherhood remains legal in Jordan, pro-government commentators have been waging a media campaign to discredit it.

The Zamzam Initiative was unveiled last October at an event that was attended by former prime ministers and ministers, in addition to public figures. The initiative proposes a number of reforms under the auspices of the regime and encourages Islamist participation in elections as well as working to guarantee a democratic, pluralistic and civil society. It also seeks to focus attention on Jordanian affairs rather than regional ones.

The Muslim Brotherhood, which is controlled by hard-liners, has boycotted the initiative and called on its members not to support it. Last week, the organization issued a statement saying that “an internal tribunal has unanimously decided that this initiative violates the Brotherhood’s regulations and principles,” adding that “any Brotherhood members taking part in the reform initiative will be punished in accordance with their seniority and position.” The three sacked members, all East Bank Jordanians, belong to the "doves" flank of the group. The initiative is backed by the group’s youth members and sympathizers.