CAIRO: The newly-elected Supreme Guide Muslim of the Muslim Brotherhood Mohamed Badea', appointed Mahmoud Hussein as the new secretary general to replace the former Mahmoud Ezzat. Hussein, 62, is a professor at the Faculty of Engineering in Assuit. In 2006, he was the head of the Muslim Brotherhood's Administrative office in Assuit. He was then appointed to the Guidance Office to replace a member who had died. Hussein was then assigned to supervise the group's activities in South Sinai. He was elected to the Guidance Office in the elections that took place in December 2009. Electing Hussein was the Supreme Guide's first task after his appointment earlier this week. In a press statement, Badea' "extended his warmest wishes to Dr. Hussein praying to Allah that the road ahead be full of flourishing accomplishments for the movement in general and for Dr. Hussein in particular. According to analysts, Hussein's appointment reflects the group's adamant movement towards conservatism; both Hussein and Badea' are known for their staunch religious views. This could lure the group away from political activism and instead focus on religious and social work, explained expert on Islamic movements Diaa Rashwan from Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies. The government crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood has intensified with the arrest of many of its members, which has affected their political activity. In addition, leaders of the group have been preoccupied lately with the Guidance Office elections and electing a new Supreme Guide. Furthermore, there has been speculation that the recent movement through which new senior members of the banned group have been appointed has intentionally sidelined members who have called for more participation in mainstream politics, such as Mohamed Habib, former deputy supreme guide, and now Ezzat, both of whom enjoyed strong political influence. The changes come in a year of parliamentary elections. The group now enjoys a substantive parliamentary presence after winning a record 88 seats in the 2005 elections, almost fifth of the seats in the People's Assembly.
