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Difference Between Al Qaeda and Muslim Brotherhood


Al Qaeda vs. Muslim Brotherhood

Al Qaeda was formed in 1988 when a group of Islamic militants gathered in Peshawar Pakistan and laid foundations of an organization that was backed by Saudi wealth and was influenced deeply by the Islamic concept of Jihad. They were not very well known until they attacked the World trade center on September 11 2001. They have maintained strong hold in most parts of Afghanistan and some parts of north western regions of Pakistan led by Osama Bin Laden until recently when he was killed by US forces in the city of Abottabad, Pakistan last year.

Muslim Brotherhood was established by Hassan Al Bana in Egypt in March 1928 as an Islamist religious, political and social movement. Unlike Al Qaeda, Muslim brotherhood has existed for over 85 years and has played a major role in shaping the historical course of Egyptian politics. It has been one of the largest and most organized opposition groups within Egypt and despite several government crackdowns during mid 20th century, the group was legalized in 2011 after the Egyptian revolution and also managed to establish a government.

Although both organizations have a religious agenda based on the idea of establishing a Shariah rule, howver one major contrast between the two groups lies in the scope of their agenda. Muslim brotherhood has historically had a nationalistic agenda focused at Egypt while Al Qaeda has a global agenda and they plan to rise against all the powers of the world that according to their definition are against Muslims.

Moreover, Muslim Brotherhood aims at promoting an image of Islam that reconciles the Islamic traditional values with the modern culture. In the wake of the 21st century they also participated in democratically held elections and managed to win 20% of the seats in 2005 to form a strong opposition against the Egyptian government. In 2011-12 the party managed to win almost 50% of the 498 seats in the parliament coming out as one of the most powerful groups following the Egyptian revolution of 2011. On the flip side of the coin, Al Qaeda aims at promoting a harsher image of Islam that is very hostile towards non Muslims and modern culture. The organization does not support democratic elections and has never participated in one. The main idea of Al Qaeda is to revive Muslim rule and destroy every power that comes in its way. The organization has been involved in numerous terrorist activities around the world and has taken blame for instigating sectarian violence in countries around the world, especially in Pakistan. The organization has developed training centers for their armed forces in Afghanistan and has openly threatened to participate in terrorist activities worldwide.

Al Qaeda, unlike, Muslim brotherhood is seen as an intimidating force that has interpreted Islamic laws too strictly and have portrayed a brutal image of Islam. It is disliked by most Muslims and non- Muslims since both have at some point or another been targeted by it. Muslim brotherhood on the other hand has no history of intimidation or open terrorist activities.

Major differences:

  • Ideological differences
  • Origins/ formation
  • MB has a nationalist agenda and Al Qaeda has a global agenda
  • MB involves in politics , Al Qaeda involves in terrorist activities
  • The Purpose of both organizations is different
  • Al Qaeda is militant group and MB is a political party
  • Al Qaeda is seen by Muslims and non Muslims as threatening while MB is not.

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3 Comments

  1. Add to above information, Alqaida based on Salfi ideology “which make the deeds and speach of prophet Mohammed followers the same as Quran structuers”,on the other hand, MB not Salfi group and not based on Salfi ideology or Jihad idiology and they supported by most of Muslims because they provide a lot of social benefits.

  2. In 2012 Morsi a Muslim Brotherhood member won the Egyptian elections by less than honorable means, after approximately 10 months the Egyptian people came out and protested in the millions against having the Obama supported Muslim Brotherhood member as their leader. General Abdul Fattah al-Sisi supported the people and removed Morsi along with all Muslim Brotherhood members from office. After his removal Muslim Brotherhood members and their supporters destroyed 80+ Coptic Christian Churches, bombed police stations, beat, raped and murdered innocent men, women and children who didn’t support the Muslim Brotherhood. After all this the Obama administration requested Morsi be placed back as sitting President, which al-Sisi correctly refused. What occurred after Morsi was removed from office should have been enough for the 70+ Nations to remove by force if necessary the Muslim Brotherhood organization from their country, to include the many Muslim organizations under the umbrella of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood is as every bit of a Murderous Terrorist organization as al-Qaeda. The Muslim Brotherhood will first hide and/or attempt to use non-aggressive means to make their version of sharia law, the law of the land. Hamas is the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood and the National Islamic Front is the Sudanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood is a violent, evil Muslim Terrorist organization and should not be underestimated.
    The following taken from the ClarionProject:
    The Muslim Brotherhood is in 70+ countries around the globe. They are every bit as dangerous as al-Qaeda. During WWII the Muslim Brotherhood fostered close links with the Nazi Party, supporting Hitler during the war.
    In 1948 the Muslim Brotherhood assassinated Egyptian Prime Minister Mahmud Fahmi al-Nuqrashi.
    In 1951 the Muslim Brotherhood attempted to assassinate General Gamel Nasser.
    In 1981 Sadat is assassinated by ex-Muslim Brotherhood members because of his peace treaty with Israel.

  3. Did Brotherhood paid for this?

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