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Mr. Leiken and Mr. Brooke began by discussing what they credit as the turning point in the organization: the 1954 assassination attempt on Gamal Abd al-Nasser, which was perpetrated by a member of the Brotherhood. The subsequent crackdown by an Egyptian government that had previously embraced the Brotherhood’s Islamic ideology in particular the imprisonment of hundreds of members in rugged Egyptian jails where torture was common – caused some members to question how Muslims could incarcerate and abuse those committed to upholding an Islamic state. They eventually concluded that the regime was not Muslim as it had purported to be, but was instead an apostate government that therefore was a worthy target of jihad. This idea marks an important distinguishing factor between the Brotherhood, which challenges the legitimacy of what it believes to be apostate governments in the Middle East, and more globally oriented organizations like al-Qa‘ida, which typically seek to confront “the Far Enemy.” As further proof of their dissimilarity, Mr. Leiken reminded the audience that al-Qa‘ida criticizes the Brotherhood on a consistent basis. Anti-Semitism is also believed to hold less currency among members of the Brotherhood, some of whom assert that their “fight is not with the Jews but with the Zionists. And the Zionists are not Jews.”

Further proof of the moderation found in the Muslim Brotherhood can be seen when comparing the organization’s ideology to that of al-Qa‘ida’s Ayman al-Zawahiri, as the two have markedly different approaches to government. According to Mr. Brooke, a true “jihadist” believes that any being or institution that grants sovereignty to man is apostate. In that vein, al-Zawahiri has declared democracy to be evil, as it dares to exert man’s will over that of God. This is a significant departure from the Muslim Brotherhood, which justifies voting by declaring that “people are the source of the authority.” While some fear that the Brotherhood’s advocacy of democracy would, if enacted, result in the “one man, one vote, one time” dilemma, Mr. Brooke reports that this is not a concern shared by the Muslim people he has spoken with, especially those in Egypt who believe the Brotherhood would only ever come to power through a coalition. Even in a full, free, and fair election, the organization would not likely receive more than 20% of the vote and would thus be unable to seize control of the government.

Mr. Brooke argued that the Brotherhood is not only moderate when compared to extremist groups like al- Qa‘ida, but also in comparison to radical Muslims in Europe. In England, where homegrown terrorism is a recurring threat and some have labeled the Embassy Park Mosque in London a “suicide factory,” the Muslim Brotherhood – which enjoys unique authority as a credible Islamist organization – is actually accredited with “de-radicalizing” the population and is thereby viewed as the best insurance policy against radicalism.

Mr. Leiken concluded the presentation by drawing attention to the schisms existing within today’s Muslim Brotherhood. He sees the organization as coalescing around two main groups. The first group, the conservatives, is comprised largely of older members who have spent time in state prisons, hold jobs in theology and law, do not look favorably on consultation with other Islamist groups, and overwhelmingly support a one (Palestinian) state solution to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. The second group, known as the reformists, consists mainly of younger members who hold jobs in a variety of sectors. The reformists generally have a long history of involvement in the political process and while they prefer a one-state solution, they are slightly more pragmatic in their approach to this conflict.

Mr. Leiken stressed that despite these two opposing currents, the organization remains united at its core. He emphasized the need – particularly in regards to US policy – to disassociate the Muslim Brotherhood from radical Islam and recognize the significant differences between the Brotherhood and other Islamic movements.