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11/22/2024 04:41:43 am

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Is The Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood A Terrorist Organization?

Muslim Brotherhood

(Photo : Reuters / Murad Sezer) Supporters of Egypt's deposed Islamist President Mohamed Mursi and the Muslim Brotherhood wave Egyptian flags during a rally in protest against the recent violence in Egypt, outside of the Eminonu New mosque in Istanbul August 17, 2013.

A report on the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood set to be released last month was delayed after UK officials disagreed over its findings.

According to the Financial Times, UK Prime Minister David Cameron requested Sir John Jenkins, the country's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, to investigate and confirm if the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered a terrorist organization or not.

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Cameron's request took place after UK's Middle Eastern allies pressured him to do so. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia already banned the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Financial Times cited Whitehall officials saying the report did not find sufficient evidence to classify the group as a terrorist organization. However, two unnamed sources said the ministers postponed the release of the publication for fear of upsetting Britain's allies from the Middle East.

Since the probe on the Brotherhood began, the UK and its allies from the West became more concerned about the monetary support the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) is getting. The Syria-based militant group reportedly took over portions of northern and central Iraq with the help of private supporters in the Gulf.

The Brotherhood traces its origins in Egypt to 1928 and was elected in 2012 but was impeached by a military coup in 2013. Since then, Cairo's interim government classified it as a terror group and blamed it for several deadly attacks.

The Egyptian political group denied the allegations thrown their way by the military-backed government.

The Brotherhood began operating in Britain in 1995. Due to fears over its alleged connection with terror activities in the country, Cameron demanded an investigation into the group in April.

Some government officials, however, believe that the investigation was just an overreaction. A senior official warned that the move might turn the Brotherhood's supporters into radicals.

Other sources reported that Jenkins' findings states the Brotherhood is not a threat to the UK's safety. His publication was supposed to be released last month but ministers were still reportedly finalizing the conclusions of the investigation.

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