In order to keep abreast of the rapidly changing political situation in the Islamic Middle East, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation is currently conducting a lecture series on political movements in the region. For this, the 12th lecture, Dr. Farid Ismail, a member of the high committee of the Freedom and Justice Party and the Muslim Brotherhood’s shura committee, was invited to speak on the subject of 'The Egyptian Situation: The Policies of the Muslim Brotherhood' on Monday, April 8, 2013.

Dr. Farid Ismail, a member of the upper ranks of the Muslim Brotherhood, was elected in the public parliamentary elections held in 2005 as part of a growing democratic movement, and served as a parliamentarian up to 2010. Since 2011, when the wave of the Arab Spring reached Egypt and the Muslim Brotherhood formed the Freedom and Justice Party in a coalition with other influential parties in the country, Dr. Ismail has been active as an executive member of the political party.

In the public parliamentary elections held from the end of 2011 until the beginning of 2012, the Freedom and Justice Party, under the control of party leader Mohamed Morsi, originally of the Muslim Brotherhood, increased its number of parliamentary seats. The following parliamentary elections were won by Mr. Morsi, who then became President of Egypt. As a member of the constitution drafting committee, Dr. Farid was engaged in the creation of Egypt's new constitution under the Morsi government.

The Muslim Brotherhood is exerting a powerful effect on the new system in Egypt following the Arab Spring. However, since the end of 2012 there have been frequent protests against President Morsi's drive to increase presidential powers, and Egypt is far from being in a stable situation.

The lecture by Dr. Ismail was a valuable opportunity to hear directly from a member of the upper ranks of the Muslim Brotherhood.