Egypt’s 'Muslim Sisterhood' moves from social work to politics
Following the ouster of President Mohammed Morsi and the arrest of Egyptian Brotherhood leaders, the "Muslim Sisterhood," the female branch of the Brotherhood, has taken on a more prominent political role.
The Muslim Sisterhood, which remains under-reported, is a wing of the Muslim Brotherhood. But is it an organization that has a weight similar to that of the Brotherhood, or does it merely support the Brotherhood in times of need?
The Muslim Sisterhood was established six years after the Brotherhood’s formation, on April 26, 1933, in the Egyptian city of Ismailiya. The founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al-Banna, came up with the idea and wanted to call it the “Muslim Sisters Group.” According to the Brotherhood’s official website, Banna wrote a letter to the members of the Muslim Women’s Association and discussed the importance of women’s role in society, and the leeway that Islam gave them to serve their community. Labiba Ahmed was appointed as head of the Sisterhood.
However, the Sisterhood's fight over the leadership of the branch pushed Banna to go back on the idea of a separate leadership for the Sisterhood. Thus, the Muslim Sisterhood came under the command of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Muslim Sisterhood's role limited to charity work and preaching
