Overview

Talaat Fahmi is a former media spokesperson for the Muslim Brotherhood. In this capacity, Fahmi released numerous statements on behalf of the Brotherhood, including referring to the Egyptian government in June 2016 as the “Zionists’ henchmen.”“Muslim Brotherhood Media Spokesman: No Reconciliation with Criminal Coup Regime,” Ikhwanweb: The Muslim Brotherhood’s Official English web site, June 21, 2016, http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=32571;
“Muslim Brotherhood Media Spokesman: No Reconciliation with Criminal Coup Regime,” Ikhwanweb: The Muslim Brotherhood’s Official English web site, June 21, 2016, http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=32571. Fahmi is reportedly based in Turkey and was supported by the older generation of Brotherhood leaders.Mamoon Alabassi, “Rift widens in Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood after spokesman’s sacking,” Middle East Eye, December 17, 2015, http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypts-muslim-brotherhood-split-after-row-over-spokesperson-sacking-966712164. He was dismissed as the group’s spokesman in October 2021“Muslim Brotherhood renews confidence in deputy head Mounir,” Middle East Monitor, October 14, 2021, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211014-muslim-brotherhood-renews-confidence-in-deputy-head-mounir/.

In December 2015, Brotherhood members in London announced Fahmi’s appointment as spokesman, dismissing acting spokesman Mohamed Montasser.Mamoon Alabassi, “Rift widens in Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood after spokesman’s sacking,” Middle East Eye, December 17, 2015, http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypts-muslim-brotherhood-split-after-row-over-spokesperson-sacking-966712164. Exiled members of the Brotherhood reportedly supported Fahmi’s promotion while the Brotherhood’s Egypt-based youth wing preferred Montasser.Mamoon Alabassi, “Rift widens in Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood after spokesman’s sacking,” Middle East Eye, December 17, 2015, http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypts-muslim-brotherhood-split-after-row-over-spokesperson-sacking-966712164.l; “Egypt… “The Muslim Brotherhood” Splits into Two Groups,” Al Arabiya, December 20, 1016, http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/egypt/2016/12/20/مصر-الإخوان-المسلمين-تتفكك-إلى-جماعتين-.html. Following Fahmi’s appointment, Montasser and his followers formed a Brotherhood offshoot outside the control of the Brotherhood’s old leadership.Mamoon Alabassi, “Rift widens in Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood after spokesman’s sacking,” Middle East Eye, December 17, 2015, http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypts-muslim-brotherhood-split-after-row-over-spokesperson-sacking-966712164.l; “Egypt… “The Muslim Brotherhood” Splits into Two Groups,” Al Arabiya, December 20, 1016, http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/egypt/2016/12/20/مصر-الإخوان-المسلمين-تتفكك-إلى-جماعتين-.html. In December 2016, Montasser made statements concerning the Brotherhood’s internal affairs and claimed to speak on behalf of the Brotherhood’s youth wing.Mamoon Alabassi, “Rift widens in Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood after spokesman’s sacking,” Middle East Eye, December 17, 2015, http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypts-muslim-brotherhood-split-after-row-over-spokesperson-sacking-966712164.l; “Egypt… “The Muslim Brotherhood” Splits into Two Groups,” Al-Arabiya, December 20, 1016, http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/egypt/2016/12/20/مصر-الإخوان-المسلمين-تتفكك-إلى-جماعتين-.html. In response, Fahmi claimed that Montasser was dismissed on December 14, 2015, and that the former spokesman does not speak for Brotherhood members in Egypt or abroad.Mamoon Alabassi, “Rift widens in Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood after spokesman’s sacking,” Middle East Eye, December 17, 2015, http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/egypts-muslim-brotherhood-split-after-row-over-spokesperson-sacking-966712164.l; “Egypt… “The Muslim Brotherhood” Splits into Two Groups,” Al Arabiya, December 20, 1016, http://www.alarabiya.net/ar/arab-and-world/egypt/2016/12/20/مصر-الإخوان-المسلمين-تتفكك-إلى-جماعتين-.html.

Despite reports of early rifts over Fahmi’s promotion, Ikhwanweb, the Muslim Brotherhood’s website, continues to refer to Fahmi as the official spokesman.“Muslim Brotherhood Spokesman Statement on the Arrest of Three Women in Alexandria, Monday,” Ikhwanweb: The Muslim Brotherhood’s Official English web site, November 30, 2017, ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=32863.

On October 13, 2021, members of the General Shura Council of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood Abroad released a statement dismissing Fahmi as the Brotherhood’s spokesman. Council members renewed their “pledge of allegiance” to the Brotherhood’s general guide and his deputy and acting director, Ibrahim Mounir.“Muslim Brotherhood renews confidence in deputy head Mounir,” Middle East Monitor, October 14, 2021, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211014-muslim-brotherhood-renews-confidence-in-deputy-head-mounir/. The announcement followed an October 11 announcement by Mounir suspending six senior Brotherhood members who rejected the results of the Brotherhood’s internal elections.“Muslim Brotherhood suspends 6 senior members,” Middle East Monitor, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211011-muslim-brotherhood-suspends-6-senior-members/. The council says Mounir was now the only spokesman for the group, though a replacement for Fahmi would be selected.“Muslim Brotherhood renews confidence in deputy head Mounir,” Middle East Monitor, October 14, 2021, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211014-muslim-brotherhood-renews-confidence-in-deputy-head-mounir/.

Also Known As

• Talaat FahmyAssociated Press, “Mohammed Mahdi Akef, Muslim Brotherhood Leader, Dies at 89,” New York Times, September 22, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/22/world/middleeast/mohammed-mahdi-akef-muslim-brotherhood-leader-dies-at-89.html.