How did World War II affect the Muslim Brotherhood’s growth in Egypt?

By the start of World War II, the Muslim Brotherhood had already experienced significant growth, establishing itself as a potent force in Egyptian society by attracting a diverse membership of students, civil servants, and urban laborers.1

During the war, the organization’s trajectory shifted from a primarily social and educational movement toward increased political activism. As the ruling Wafd party cooperated with the British, the Brotherhood positioned itself as a vocal opponent of both the government and foreign influence. This stance allowed the group to capitalize on widespread public disillusionment with the political establishment.2341

The war years also saw the Brotherhood develop an armed branch in the early 1940s, which became linked to political violence and assassinations. By the end of the war, the organization had evolved into a militant mass movement that frequently organized popular protests. This radicalization placed the Brotherhood in direct conflict with central authorities, eventually leading to a cycle of suppression and violence in the postwar period.231