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.
