The Production of a “True Muslim” by the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood: Loyalty and Dissent

Abstract

Mentoring young people is one of the core activities of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, since they view political reform as the result of individual religious reform. The article analyses the forms of their educational actions. The analysis is based on the Brotherhood’s literature on their educational principles, internal documents on how to apply these principles, and accounts published by former young Muslim Brothers. The production of a “true Muslim” relies as much on the affection built by the organisation as on the scrutiny and control of individuals. This article highlights the importance of the cultural factor as the main resource for disengagement.