Jonathan Miller & Seth Thomas Portland State University Students
The presenters give a history of the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, from its roots in the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century to the organization as it exists today. Mr. Miller provides a history lesson, including a description of the French occupation from 1920-1943, which resulted in 10 Syrian revolts. This spurred the rise of nationalistic and anti-colonial groups; the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood was founded in the mid-1930s. Mr. Thomas discusses the changes in the Brotherhood’s politics and image during the past three decades, during most of which the organization has been banished from Syria.