Durham E-Theses The Construction of Islamic Identity in Everyday Life: The Case of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt IBRAHIM, KHALIL,MOHAMED How to cite: IBRAHIM, KHALIL,MOHAMED (2013) The Construction of Islamic Identity in Everyday Life: The Case of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt , Durham theses, Durham University. Available at Durham E-Theses Online: http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/7284/ Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in Durham E-Theses • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full Durham E-Theses policy for further details. Academic Support Oce, Durham University, University Oce, Old Elvet, Durham DH1 3HP e-mail: [email protected] Tel: +44 0191 334 6107 http://etheses.dur.ac.uk 2 The Construction of Islamic Identity in Everyday Life: The Case of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt Khalil Mohamed Ibrahim A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Government and International Affairs Durham University 2013 Abstract This thesis explores the formation of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) identity in everyday life. It accounts for unpacking the underlying processes and factors that shape the identity of the MB’s members. It thus examines the MB’s recruitment and mobilization mechanisms, meaning and symbolic productions, social networking, and the resilience of the MB identity. This study attempts to answer a key question: how does the MB construct its identity in everyday life? It investigates the identification and socialization process that happens within the MB. The study reveals that ikhwanism, a sub-culture that encompasses and guides the MB leaders and members in everyday life, plays a pivotal role in preserving the MB’s identity. Ikhwanism denotes the cognitive system of norms, values, standards, and symbols that informs and guides the MB’s members in everyday life. Thus, to be an ikhwani does not only mean to embrace the MB’s ideology and worldview but also to act as a committed and obedient member in everyday life. Therefore, the study investigates the tools and mechanisms that are utilized by the MB in order to forge and reshape members’ perceptions and behaviour. In addition, the thesis explores the effects of the semi-authoritarian policies on the MB’s identity and coherence. It examines how the MB survived under the autocratic regime of Hosni Mubarak despite the relentless waves of repression and exclusion. The findings of the study reveal the ability of the MB to operate under regime repression and to sustain its coherence and identity. Primary data was collected through interviews with several members and leaders in the MB. The data reflects the complexity of the MB as a social organization. It demonstrates that the MB could blend the ideational and institutional factors in order to articulate and preserve its identity. Moreover, the findings of the study reveal the power struggle within the MB between the so-called conservatives and reformists. The study demonstrates that regime repression enabled the conservatives to control the MB at the expense of the reformists. It predicts that the former will likely dominate the MB for years to come. ii Declaration I hereby declare that this thesis results from my own work. I confirm that no portion of this study has been used in support of an application of another degree in this or any other university. iii Statement of Copyright The copyright of this thesis rests with the author. No quotation from it should be published without his prior written consent and information derived from it should be acknowledged. iv Note on Transliteration Throughout this thesis I have used a simplified transliteration scheme that roughly follows the logic of the Library of Congress system, except principally for the diacritics. I have generally designated the ‘ayn (for example, shari‘a, da‘wa or jama‘a) and medial hamza (Qur’an not Quran), but not terminal hamza (‘ulama, for example, not ‘ulama’). The spellings of individual and place names that are commonly used in English, particularly as used in reference to Egypt, are adopted here – e.g., Badie (not Badi‘), Ismailia (not Isma‘iliyya). ‘Mohamed’ is thus used for all individuals, except the Prophet Muhammad. v Acknowledgments First of all, I should thank the Almighty Allah for his guidance and blessing on my success in writing and completing this dissertation. I would like to thank many people those without their help, encouragement and support this study could not have been completed. My thanks must first go to my supervisor, Professor James Piscatori. I am indebted to him for his invaluable support, encouragement and guidance. Throughout this dissertation, Jim was a supervisor, a mentor and a friend. I am deeply thankful to him. My grateful thanks and gratitude are due to Dr Mehmet Asutay. Since I started my graduate studies at Durham University, Dr Asutay provided me with all kinds of support, encouragement and guidance. He was one of the few people who marked my life with integrity, passion of knowledge, and helping others without expecting anything in return. I will always be indebted to his invaluable guidance and support. I ask Almighty Allah to reward him for his help and sincerity over the past three years. My special gratidude goes to my friend Alija Avdukic for his help and support. Alija was not only a friend but also a brother and comrade with whome I spent most of my time over the past two years. May Allah reward him for his help. My deepest gratitude also goes to El-Masry Foundation for Community Service in Egypt for their generous support. Without El-Masry Foundation Scholarship my graduate study could not have been possible. In particular I am deeply grateful to my brother and friend Dr Mahmoud Mohieldin who believed in my ability to conduct this dissertation and provided me with all support I needed to complete it. He is also one of the few people who influenced my path to knowledge. I would like to extend my special vi thanks to the staff of El-Masry Foundation particularly Mrs Nashwa Bayoumi, Mr Tamer Attia and Ms Heba Isaac for their help and understanding. Also, I would like to thank all administrative staff and members of the School of Government and International Affairs. In particular I would like to thank Mrs Barbara Farnworth, Mrs Wendy Redhead and Dr Lorraine Holmes for their help and support during my studies. This dissertation would have not been possible without the prayers and encouragement of my family in Egypt. My parents, Mohamed Khalil al-Anani and Fatma Soliman Moussa, deserve special recognition and praise. I am grateful to them for their love, prayers and support. My father taught me how to work under difficult conditions to achieve my goals and my mother granted me the love of knowledge and the confidence to reach my dreams. May Allah reward them paradise in the hereafter. My deepest gratitude also goes to my brothers and sisters for their love and prayers. Last, but not least, I would like to thank my beloved wife, Howaida Soliman. Howaida is not simply a wife but a friend and constant companion who did everything to help me to finish this dissertation. Since we got married, Howaida has sacrificed many things so I may pursue my dream. I should acknowledge that without her inspiration, endless love and tireless encouragement I could have not been able to complete this study. No words could express my gratitude to Howiada but may Allah reward her for her love, encouragement and patiance. Finally, I would like to thank my children, Mohamed and Aly, the two loves of my life. I am grateful to them for their patience and enduring my absence for days without playing with them. May I provide you both as much joy as you have given me. vii Dedication To Howaida, Mohamed, and Aly source of love, success, and joy viii Table of Contents Abstract ii Declaration iii Statement of Copyright iv Note on Transliteration v Acknowledgments vi Dedication viii Table of Contents ix List of Figures xiii Chapter One 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 A Brief Background 1 1.2 Significance and Importance of the Research 3 1.3 Research Aims, Objectives, Questions and Hypothesis 4 1.4 Research Methodology and Theoretical Approaches 6 1.5 Caveats on the Time Span of the Research 10 1.6 Research Structure and Organization 10 Chapter Two 13 ISLAMIST MOVEMENTS: A LITERATURE REVIEW 13 2.1 Introduction 14 2.2 How to Study Islamism? The Enduring Polemic 14 2.3 Approaches to the Study of Islamist Movements 20 2.3.1 The Crisis Approach 20 2.3.2. The Essentialist Approach 24 2.3.3. The Social Movements Approach 29 ix 2.4 Literature on Studying the Muslim Brotherhood 34 2.5 Conclusion 37 Chapter Three 39 SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM AND ISLAMIC IDENTITY 39 3.1 Introduction 39 3.2 Echoes of the Self: What Is Identity? 39 3.3 Social Movements and Identity 47 3.4 Premises of Social Constructivism 54 3.4.1 The Construction of Collective Identity 57 3.4.2 Islamic Social Movements 63 3.4.3 The Construction of Islamic Identity 64 3.4.3.1 Manufacturing Islamic Collectivity 66 3.5 Conclusion 76 Chapter Four 77 THE POWER OF THE JAMA‘A: THE ROLE OF HASAN AL-BANNA IN ARTICULATING THE MUSLIM