Jordan bans Muslim Brotherhood amid security concerns
Jordan's Interior Minister, Mazen al-Faraya, announced on Wednesday the ban of the Muslim Brotherhood, a fundamentalist Islamic organization and the most active opposition group in the country. The minister cited members' links to the authors of a foiled plot as the direct reason for the prohibition.
What do you need to know?
- Ban on the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan: This action was announced by Jordan’s Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya.
- Arrests of Brotherhood members: A few days before the ban was announced, Jordanian security forces detained 16 members of the Brotherhood, accusing them of planning attacks using rockets and explosives.
- Political implications: It is unclear whether the ban also applies to the Islamic Action Front, a party that originated from the Brotherhood and is the strongest opposition group in the Jordanian parliament.
Why did Jordan decide to impose the ban?
Jordan, like other countries in the region, views the Muslim Brotherhood as a threat to stability and security. Minister Mazen al-Faraya emphasized that the organization has a hidden agenda that undermines the foundations of the kingdom.
The imposition of the ban is a response to growing national security concerns, especially following the arrests of Brotherhood members suspected of planning attacks.
What are the consequences for the Islamic Action Front?
It is not yet clear whether the ban on the Brotherhood will also affect the Islamic Action Front, which holds 31 seats in the Jordanian parliament. Although it is the strongest opposition group, the party remains isolated.
Following the ban announcement, Jordanian security forces raided its headquarters in Amman, which may indicate further actions against this party, reports rp.pl.
What are the broader implications for the region?
Jordan's decision is part of a broader trend in the region, where the Muslim Brotherhood is perceived as a threat to those in power. Similar actions have previously been taken by Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
However, in Jordan, unlike in these countries, the Brotherhood has not yet been officially recognized as a terrorist organization.
The Muslim Brotherhood is the most significant Islamist organization in the world and a source of inspiration for Sunni radicals, reminds rp.pl. It was established nearly 100 years ago in Egypt but has spread across almost the entire Sunni world. Movements derived from it and related political parties have emerged in North Africa and the Middle East – from Morocco to Yemen, Syria, and the Gaza Strip.
