ABSTRACT
On 11 November 1954, a prominent Muslim Brotherhood leader, Hindawy Duweir, appeared in front of one of Nasser’s military courts dubbed ‘mahkamet el shaab’, which were part of the regime’s crackdown on members of the movement. During the long court trial, at one point, Duweir described how Supreme Guide Hassan el Hodeiby was chosen by recounting that when Hassan El Banna passed away, there were 100 persons or more who were very capable and committed who were qualified to assume the role of Supreme Guide. However, they were not positioned at the centres of power at the time of the death of the Supreme Guide because ‘el Banna preferred having window showcases’ around him ‘such that the shop would be at the back but the window showcase would be in Fouad St.’ 1 (1954: 33–34). In his account, Duweir pointed out that Hassan el Hodeiby was not a member of the Muslim Brotherhood but was known for his Islamist leanings and therefore was nominated for the position and elected by the Brothers (unauthored, Mahkamat el Shaab: a transcript of the proceedings, Part 1, 1954, pp. 33–34). What can be inferred from Duweir’s words is that El Hodeiby was one of the figures displayed in the window showcase, but that, in effect, the real activity was happening backstage, where the movers and shakers were running the place. Duweir’s account bears much insight into how the Brothers engage politically. The front cover does not necessarily reflect what is on the inside. However, it serves a purpose: the division of labour within the movement.
