Jordan has officially banned the Muslim Brotherhood, accusing the Islamist opposition group of plotting sabotage and posing a threat to national security. The country’s Ministry of Interior announced the decision on Wednesday, stating that the group’s activities would be halted immediately. Authorities have also shut down the group’s offices and seized its assets.
Interior Minister Mazen Al-Faraya said the move came in response to a conspiracy involving sabotage, in which the son of a group leader was allegedly involved. “All activities of the so-called Muslim Brotherhood are now banned and will be considered violations of the law,” he declared, adding that any propagation of the group’s ideology would be met with legal action.
In an official statement, the ministry said, “Evidence shows that members of this group operate secretly and engage in activities that could destabilize the country.” The group has reportedly interfered with national unity and public security.
Following the announcement, police surrounded the Muslim Brotherhood headquarters in the capital, Amman, and conducted a search.
What is the Muslim Brotherhood?
Although banned in several Arab countries, the Muslim Brotherhood had been operating legally in Jordan for decades. The group follows a Sunni Islamist ideology and advocates for the establishment of a caliphate under Sharia law. It has built strong grassroots support in major Jordanian cities.
In the September 2024 parliamentary elections, the Brotherhood’s political wing, the Islamic Action Front (IAF), achieved significant success by securing 31 out of 138 seats. The IAF capitalized on public anger over the Israel-Hamas conflict. Voter turnout was reported at 32 percent.
Following the results, IAF leader Wael Al-Saqqa stated, “The people of Jordan have placed their trust in us through their votes.”