Members of new Muslim Brotherhood society to join ‘planned Zamzam political party’

AMMAN — Members of the newly licensed Muslim Brotherhood Society, seen as rivals of the old group, will join a political party the National Initiative for Building “Zamzam” plans to establish soon, the society’s spokesperson said Wednesday.  

Jamil Dheisat told The Jordan Times that the group does not plan to establish a political party but will join the party planned by Zamzam, adding that the society, and other political figures and organisations will support the initiative in setting up a national political party. 

The Muslim Brotherhood Society was established this year and registered by the authorities after disputes between its leaders, who consider themselves as reformists, and the leadership of the old group, an affiliate of the mother group in Egypt. 

Dheisat’s remarks came on the same day the Islamic Action Front (IAF), the political arm of the unlicensed Muslim Brotherhood group, terminated the membership of seven members upon their request. 

A statement issued by the IAF said the decision went into effect November 1. 

Dheisat said the members who left the IAF were “leading figures” in the party: Abdul Majeed Thneibat, who is now the overall leader of the licensed society, Qassem Taamneh, Mamdouh Muheisen, Khalil Askar, Ali Tarawneh, Jaber Abul Hija and Mohammad Qaramseh. 

Asked whether the new society plans on joining political life in Jordan, including future parliamentary and municipal elections, the spokesperson said it has not yet taken a decision in this regard but would study the matter “positively”.