Issue No. 613
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21 - 27 November 2002 Issue No. 613 Home news |
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 | |||
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New man at the helm
MA'MOUN El-Hodeibi is described by most observers as the mastermind of most of the changes in the Muslim Brotherhood's doctrine that have taken place over the past 10 years. He became the group's deputy supreme guide in 1986, serving under both Hamed Abul-Nasr and the late Mustafa Mashhour. But being the group's spokesman was what really put El- Hodeibi in the limelight. He has been the most outspoken figure amongst the group's old guard.
El-Hodeibi is the scion of a politically active family. His father was judge Hassan El-Hodeibi, who was a close associate of Hassan El-Banna, the founder of the brotherhood. In fact, when El-Banna was assassinated in 1950, Hassan El-Hodeibi succeeded him, remaining at the the group's helm until 1973.
El-Hodeibi graduated from the faculty of law after which he joined the ranks of the judiciary. He was arrested in 1965 and released some six years later. In 1987 he ran for parliament against Amal Othman, who was the minister of social affairs at the time. He won the seat and represented the district of Dokki, but was not able to repeat the feat in the last round of parliamentary elections.
Though he belongs to the old guard, El- Hodeibi is known for his pragmatism, a trait exhibited in the weight he threw behind the idea of the Brotherhood running for parliamentary elections despite the risks entailed. He was also behind the political alliances which the Brotherhood struck with other political forces such as the Wafd and Labour parties. He also supported the idea of women running for office, and brotherhood members vying for stronger roles in professional syndicates.
El-Hodeibi is known to be a reformist and has initiated many changes within the group. He has always been careful to couple his criticism of the government with assurances that the brotherhood was a peaceful organisation that aimed to maintain a good relationship with the government.
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