The succession of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Guide ignites the conflict of the three heavyweights within the group
Only a few months remain before the legal term of Salah Abdel Haq as Acting Guide of the Muslim Brotherhood – London Front expires. However, the struggle over the position erupted early among the front’s leaders, who are currently seeking to take control of the group.
Three senior leaders are competing to succeed the Acting Guide within the London Front: Mahmoud Al-Ibyari, Secretary-General of the International Organization and head of the Europe sector; Mohi Eddine Al-Zayat, current deputy to Salah Abdel Haq and member of the General Shura Council; and Helmy Al-Gazzar, head of the political department and deputy head of the administrative body acting as a substitute for the Guidance Bureau.
Salah Abdel Haq assumed his role on December 4, 2022, following the death of his predecessor Ibrahim Mounir, who had taken the position after the arrest of Mahmoud Ezzat, Acting Guide for seven years after the group’s removal from power in Egypt in 2013 and the arrest of Guide Mohamed Badie on charges related to violence and terrorism.
The Muslim Brotherhood – London Front – held rapid internal elections within 30 days of Ibrahim Mounir’s death to select a new Acting Guide, especially as his passing occurred amid structural divisions that split the group into fronts, notably the London Front and the Istanbul Front led by Mahmoud Hussein, the former Secretary-General and the only remaining Guidance Bureau member outside prison, who sought to assume control after being appointed Acting Guide by that front.
The International Organization’s men versus the Egyptian organization
Amid the current competition, both Al-Ibyari and Al-Zayat worked to strengthen their positions by promoting loyal figures into executive roles across committees to form a pressure bloc favoring the next Acting Guide.
Salah Abdel Haq was relatively unknown to many members, having spent years in the global educational apparatus of the International Organization, engaged in religious and educational work without political involvement. His selection, however, contradicted internal regulations requiring that the Guide or Acting Guide be chosen from among members of the General Shura Council.
Leaders of the London Front, particularly Al-Zayat, Al-Gazzar, and Mohamed El-Dessouki, promoted Abdel Haq as a consensus choice capable of unifying the group after Mounir’s death amid internal division.
Although agreed upon in December 2022, his appointment was only announced in March 2023 after arrangements related to his relocation between two countries and settlement in a regional state supportive of the group.
His tenure witnessed internal crises and conflicts due to power struggles. He even threatened resignation, but leaders persuaded him to remain until the official end of his term in December 2026.
Sources said that Abdel Haq underwent surgery earlier this year and was advised by doctors to stop any activity requiring physical or mental effort, in addition to suffering from age-related illnesses at 81 years old.
Internal elections are scheduled for November to select a new Acting Guide, and Abdel Haq has informed the senior administrative body that he will not run again.
Meanwhile, the “three heavyweights” are preparing for the next phase. Rivalries have intensified between Al-Ibyari, who sees himself as legitimate due to his role in the International Organization, and Al-Zayat, who bases his claim on his leadership role within the Egyptian organization.
Al-Zayat argues that Al-Ibyari is ineligible because he represents European Brothers within the International Organization by virtue of his Austrian nationality, whereas regulations stipulate that the Guide must come from the Egyptian organization.
Al-Ibyari counters that current circumstances have necessitated bypassing outdated rules, as occurred with Abdel Haq’s appointment, and that he is therefore the most qualified successor.
Helmy Al-Gazzar hopes for a consensus around his candidacy without formally declaring it. Failing that, he would support Al-Zayat.
Sources indicated that Al-Gazzar would side with Al-Zayat because the latter would preserve current balances, while Al-Ibyari would seek full control rather than a symbolic role.
At the same time, Mahmoud Hussein, Acting Guide of the Istanbul Front, proposed an initiative to end the division and reunify the group. The initiative was conveyed to London Front leaders by mediators, including Abdel Razzaq Makri.
It proposes that Abdel Haq remain Acting Guide, with Mahmoud Hussein as deputy and future successor upon the end of his term or in the event of his death.
Sources did not rule out the possibility that London Front leaders might pressure Abdel Haq to remain nominally in office to prevent renewed fragmentation due to the succession conflict.
