Editing Shukri Mustafa (section)

==Leadership of ''Jama'at al-Muslimin'' group==

On his release, Shukri returned to Asyut where he finished his studies and began recruiting followers in the surrounding villages. In 1973, following the arrest of some of his followers, he took the group to live in caves in the nearby mountains, fully implementing his belief in withdrawal.<ref>''The Prophet and the Pharaoh'', pp. 76-77</ref> He felt that his group was currently too weak to take action and so adopted a policy of separation. He hoped that this would protect the community from outside influences and allow it to grow in strength.<ref name=Sageman14 /> By 1976 Shukri's followers numbered two thousand, mostly living in poor neighbourhoods of [[Cairo]]. They were known to the authorities but not considered a serious threat.<ref>''The Prophet and the Pharaoh'', p. 77</ref>

The members were forced to cut off contact with their families, bringing about several lawsuits from family members of women who joined. They felt Shukri was in essence seducing their daughters, or in some cases wives, and thus negating Egyptian views of family.<ref>Sageman, p15</ref>