Egypt youth seek Muslim Brotherhood voice

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 (UPI) -- The Muslim Brotherhood is grappling with some generational differences as it expands its role in Egypt, a report from the Rand Corp. said.

The Washington think tank said the Muslim Brotherhood may be one of the largest Islamic political parties in the Middle East, but its size also means it includes more than one school of thought.

"It's important for (U.S.) policymakers to understand that the Muslim Brotherhood isn't a monolithic organization," said lead author Jeffrey Martini. "It is a dynamic one that is undergoing some challenges as a result of a growing, youthful group that wants more of a voice."

The overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak last year gave rise to concerns in the West that the Muslim Brotherhood would take Egypt down a path less friendly to the United States and Israel.

Although the party has been active in Egypt for many years, it is also becoming more youth-dominated. And younger Egyptians face significant issues such as unemployment and the overall economy.

Martini said those concerns cannot be ignored by the Brotherhood leadership since nearly half of its members are under the age of 35, and those younger people do much of the street-level legwork and outreach.

"Youth in Egypt ... want more of a say in their future, particularly given heightened expectations following the revolution," Martini said.

The report recommended the United States increase its efforts to engage Egypt's younger generations to build lines of communications and increase the level of understanding between the two nations.