The Jordanian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood announced its self-dissolution on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the Islamic political movement after Amman outlawed the group and seized its assets.
In a statement released by the group, it stated that amid current political developments, the movement found itself burdened by a name and concepts that have become “controversial.”
“Out of loyalty to our homeland, our Hashemite leadership, and in full alignment with our national belonging we announce our self-dissolution as a legally licensed body,” the group declared.
The statement concluded by affirming that national security, stability, the legitimacy of leadership, and the well-being of future generations remain the core values guiding the movement’s decisions.
Jordan announced a sweeping ban on the Muslim Brotherhood in April after accusing the Islamic political organisation of planning attacks and stockpiling weapons. The crackdown included a raid of their offices and the removal of documents, a security source said.
The move came shortly after Amman said police arrested 16 people, including members of the Muslim Brotherhood, over an alleged sabotage plot.
The group has denied being aware of any plot, dismissing it as lone wolf acts by individuals supporting the Palestinians amid Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.
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“It has been decided to ban all activities of the so-called Muslim Brotherhood and to consider any activity (carried out by it) a violation of the provisions of the law,” Interior Minister Mazen al-Faraya told reporters in April.
“It has also been decided to close any offices or headquarters used by the group, even if it is in partnership with any other parties,” he added.
Despite the ban, the Muslim Brotherhood remains an influential group inside the Hashemite Kingdom as the group’s political wing, the Islamic Action Front, is Jordan’s main opposition party and the largest in parliament, having won 31 out of 138 seats in last September’s elections.
The capital Amman is home to several Muslim Brotherhood offices. The group often issues statements and organises rallies in solidarity with the Palestinians, especially since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023.
The Brotherhood, banned in several other Arab countries, has had grassroots support in Jordan for decades.
The move to ban the group has been seen by many onlookers as Jordan acting to further protect Israel as anger against the genocide in Gaza boils across the Muslim-majority world.
Jordan has long been criticised for maintaining ties with Tel Aviv and acting as a “shield” facilitating Israel’s continued crimes against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
