Hasan Al-Banna

Hasan al-Banna (1906-1949) was the founder and lifelong leader of the Muslim Brotherhood (al-Ikhwan al-Muslimun), one of the most influential political organisations in the contemporary Arab world. From the group's establishment in 1928 until his assassination two decades later, al-Banna resisted colonial domination and endeavoured to establish an Islamic moral order based on the Qur'an and the example of the Prophet Muhammad. The Brotherhood's rapid growth is testament to al-Banna's charismatic leadership; his legacy, however, remains hotly debated.
In this revealing biography, Gudrun Kramer skilfully profiles the famous reformer and the movement to which he devoted his life. Exploring al-Banna's thought and political projects, Kramer argues that his ideas cannot be removed from the context of his time. This balanced account will prove an essential resource for any reader interested in this important figure who was instrumental in shaping modern Islamic thought.

Gudrun Kramer is Professor of Islamic Studies and Director of the Berlin Graduate School Muslim Cultures and Societies at the Freie Universitat Berlin.