What is the Muslim Brotherhood?

• The Muslim Brotherhood is a missionary movement founded in Egypt in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, with offshoots throughout the Arab world.
• The movement initially aimed simply to spread Islamic morals and good works, but soon became involved in politics, particularly the fight to rid Egypt of British colonial control and cleanse it of all Western influence.
• One of the group’s stated aims is to create a state ruled by Islamic law, or Sharia. Its most famous slogan, used worldwide, is: “Islam is the solution.”
• It has faced years of pressure, especially in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, and has been outlawed as a “terrorist” group in Egypt and banned in several other countries.

Why in News?

• Jordan’s top court has dissolved the country’s branch of the Muslim Brotherhood.