Article

Neither Fulul nor Ikhwan: The Thought of Abdul Rahman Yusuf and the Rise of an Alternative Current in Post-Morsi Egypt

Author: Bader Mousa Al-Saif (Georgetown University)

  • Neither Fulul nor Ikhwan: The Thought of Abdul Rahman Yusuf and the Rise of an Alternative Current in Post-Morsi Egypt

    Article

    Neither Fulul nor Ikhwan: The Thought of Abdul Rahman Yusuf and the Rise of an Alternative Current in Post-Morsi Egypt

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Abstract

Since independence, the military and the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) have exerted unmatched influence and control over Egypt. However, an “alternative current” is on the rise. In this paper, first, I survey the role played by the military and the MB. Second, I highlight one of the voices of this alternative current, Abdul Rahman Yusuf. The evolution of his thought in post-July 2013 coup era unveils the difficulties facing this alternative current in competing with the well-entrenched voices of both the military and the MB. Notwithstanding such challenges, I argue that suggesting the existence and eventual resilience and popularity of an alternative current that politically and intellectually defies both the military and the MB in Egypt is not a far-fetched aspiration should the leaders of this current articulate their ideas with clarity, embrace genuine reform, celebrate diversity and difference as prerequisites for constructive societal and political pluralism.

Keywords: Arab uprisings, Islam, Egypt, Muslim Brotherhood, military, intellectuals, alternative current

How to Cite:

Al-Saif, B., (2015) “Neither Fulul nor Ikhwan: The Thought of Abdul Rahman Yusuf and the Rise of an Alternative Current in Post-Morsi Egypt”, Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Multidisciplinary Studies: Mathal 4(1), 1-26. doi: https://doi.org/10.17077/2168-538X.1066

Rights: Copyright © 2015 Bader Mousa Al-Saif

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Published on
06 Sep 2015
Peer Reviewed
License
CC BY 3.0