al-Banna, Hasan (1906–1949)

Hasan al-Banna is most famous for helping launch the global movement of resurgent Islam in the 20th century by founding the Society of Muslim Brothers (al-Ikhwan al-Muslimun) in Egypt in 1928. The Muslim Brotherhood began as a community-based organization for Islamic revival. Initially composed of a few close friends and followers who devoted themselves to study and worship, the Brotherhood quickly became a powerful political, social, and religious force in many parts of the Muslim and Arab worlds.

Banna, who at first taught students at a primary school by day and instructed their parents in religious matters by night, appreciated the value of education, though he never sought to join the ranks of Egypt's religious scholars. From an early age, Banna, son of the local imam, ...