Dr. Hesham Al-Awadi's New Book Provides Analysis of Political Islam in Egypt

The Muslim Brothers in Pursuit of Legitimacy: Power and Political Islam in Egypt Under Mubarak is the latest book by Dr. Hesham Al-Awadi, Associate Professor of Political Science & History at the American University of Kuwait (AUK). In the book, he discusses the ways in which the Mubarak era served as a platform for the emergence of the Muslim Brotherhood as the most influential political force in Egypt.

Dr. Al-Awadi explains that the Brotherhood's steady growth occurred under Mubarak's leadership through their involvement in syndicates and unions, participation in local elections and social services. The author argues that the period preceding the Arab Spring is portrayed as one of struggle between the Brotherhood and the Mubarak regime, during which the Brotherhood's strive towards legitimacy clashed with the government's illegalization of the movement. He further explains that the Brotherhood's gain of informal social legitimacy in the Mubarak era inspired confidence amongst party leaders and supporters following the Arab Spring, provoking thought on the complex nature of coexistence between religion and the state.

Professor James Piscatori of the School of Government and International Affairs at Durham University reviewed The Muslim Brothers in Pursuit of Legitimacy: Power and Political Islam in Egypt Under Mubarak. He described it as "a work of considerable insight...[...which] contributes to knowledge both by presenting exciting new material on the Muslim Brotherhood in particular and by elucidating the choices of an Islamist movement in general."

Article courtesy of AUK student, Maria Bedrossian.

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 22nd October 2014