Treatment of Political Parties, Women, and Minorities

After the Muslim Brotherhood attempted to assassinate Nasser in 1954, 6 members were executed and thousands of others were arrested

Some MB members were held in concentration camps, others went underground to reorganize

Muslim Brotherhood treatment

When the communist party was accused of leading a strike at a factory, Nasser had the army called in to crush it

While Nasser identified with socialist ideals, the communist ideology of workers uniting and overthrowing the upper class disturbed him

Communist Party treatment

Jews were often persecuted in Nasser’s Egypt, often confined to their homes without food, etc.

1959 law stated all workers needed special identification—after your name came your religion, and Jewish workers were not recommended to hire

A large number of Jews tried to leave Egypt during Nasser’s reign, but they had limited relocation options

Jewish Egyptians

Previously very popular (led by Zaghlul, represented Egypt at the Paris Peace Conference, and re-installed by the British in 1942)

Outlawed by Nasser immediately after the 1952 Revolution

Wafd Party

Gained the right to voteNasser tried to improve female literacy/gained

education rights- state education was opened to women

Women were elected to government positions (well, just two, in 1957)

Legal rights and special protection for working womenImprovements were complicated by restrictions in

Islam1962 National Charter stated that women were equal

to men, granted access to Al-Azhar University, a religious institution

Nasser did NOT change discriminatory family laws

Women under Nasser’s Reign

Used radio heavily (this helped since Egypt at its best still had a 50% literacy rate

Influenced novels and newspapers, plays and songs (two well known Arab singers wrote songs of praise for him)

Heavy censorship of media

Like most authoritarian leaders, used powerful emotional speeches to win people’s favor

Use of Propaganda