Muhammad Hamid Abu al-Nasr

Muhammad Hamid Abu al-Nasr was the fourth General Guide of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, a political and religious organization that seeks to establish an Islamic state in Egypt and beyond. He was born in Manfalut, a town in the Asyut Governorate, on March 25, 1913. He joined the Muslim Brotherhood in 1933, and became a close associate of its founder, Hassan al-Banna. He was involved in various activities of the group, such as education, social welfare, and resistance against British colonialism and the monarchy. He was arrested several times by the authorities for his involvement in the Muslim Brotherhood, and spent a total of 14 years in prison. He was also exiled to Sudan for a period of time. He became the General Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood in 1986, after the death of Umar al-Tilmisani, who had led the group for 18 years. He was a controversial choice, as he faced opposition from some factions within the group who preferred other candidates. He was supported by Mustafa Mashhur, who later succeeded him as the General Guide. As the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, he tried to maintain a moderate and pragmatic approach, avoiding confrontation with the government and seeking dialogue with other political forces. He also emphasized the importance of Islamic education and social services, and supported the participation of the Muslim Brotherhood in parliamentary elections. He died in Cairo on January 20, 1996, at the age of 82. He was buried in the Al-Azhar Mosque, a symbol of Islamic learning and authority. He was regarded as a respected and influential figure in the history of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamic movement in Egypt.