Thread by @3yyash

Yesterday, the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood announced the appointment of their new Acting General Guide. Here's what we know about the new leader of the largest Islamic organization in the Middle East, Dr. Salah Abdulhaq. 🧵 1/13

Abdulhaq was born in Cairo on October 1, 1945 (78 years old). He grew up in a religious family in the upper-middle-class neighborhood of Heliopolis in Cairo. His father was an English teacher, and the whole family were members of the prestigious Heliopolis Sporting Club. 2/13

Abdulhaq joined MB in 1962, during his high school years. The issue of seniority has proved critical in the recent internal strife. In the same year, he enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine at Ain Shams University, but he graduated in 1976 due to his prolonged imprisonment. 3/13

The new General Guide of the MB was arrested in 1965 when he was only 19, where he got closer to Sayyid Qutb (executed in 1966). Abdulhaq was imprisoned with the current General Guide Mohamed Badie (in prison since 2013) and his deputy Mahmoud Ezzat (in prison since 2020). 4/13

Abdulhaq was released in 1974, finished his medical studies and MS in 1982. In 1985, he left Egypt for Saudi Arabia where he worked as a dermatologist, got married, and lived until weeks ago. He was recently appointed to the General Shura Council [the main legislative body]. 5/13

As we expected in our "Broken Bonds" book, the new General Guide is not a member of the Guidance Bureau, is old enough, whether in age or through his time in the organization, to assume seniority, and has not been publicly implicated in the legitimacy crises since 2013. 6/13

In early 2022, during one of the interviews for Broken Bonds, I asked a question about whether the 20-something-year-old MB member can name a single leader they can trust. My interviewee answered instantly, "Salah Abdulhaq is the only one." 7/13

Abdulhaq did not take part in the recent feud within the MB; his name is clean for members in the different competing factions. An MB member said that his character has similarities to those of both the open-minded and conservative leaders within the organization. 8/13

Abdulhaq's roles within the MB revolved around internal education and "Tarbiyaa," the upbringing, which is the most powerful department inside the Brotherhood. He has a generally low profile, partly because of his residence in Saudi Arabia. 9/13

MB statement and sources said that Abdulhaq's priorities are to resolve the issues of the political detainees in Egypt and the internal conflict, and to include more youth in the leadership structure of the MB. 10/13

According to the MB sources, before Ibrahim Mounir's death in November 2022, he recommended three names for the MB to choose his successor from. Abdulhaq was elected unanimously from the Shura council, and he got the endorsement of the MB inside Egypt. 11/13

Mahmoud Hussein's faction within the MB has issued a statement denying the appointment of Abdulhaq. But his camp is almost dead within Egypt and abroad. He still controls some of the MB's assets, but Abdulhaq has the credibility and connections to put an end to Hussein. 12/13

When I asked a middle-ranking MB member if Abdulhaq is the right person to negotiate with the Egyptian government, he described him as a 'good delegator'. 'Abdulhaq knows his strengths and shortcomings, and he will give the mission to the person who can do it,' he said." (13/13)

To conclude, Abdulhaq is a relatively unknown figure among the public, but a respected & trusted leader within the MB. He faces serious challenges, both internally & externally, but his experience & reputation within the organization could provide a path forward for the group.