Isalm and the World
Islam in Egypt
This writer is a Copt, which refers to an Egyptian Christian. Egypt was conquered in 641–642 AD during the Arab conquest led by 'Amr ibn al-'As under the Rashidun Caliphate. This conquest ended nearly seven centuries of Roman rule, which had begun in 30 BC, marking the conclusion of the broader Greco-Roman period in Egypt that had lasted about a thousand years. The Rashidun Caliphate capitalized on the weakened state of the Byzantine Empire following the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 AD to invade Egypt.
From the time of the Muslim conquest, Coptic Christians faced periods of persecution under various Muslim regimes, including the Umayyad, Abbasid, Fatimid Caliphates, the Mamluk Sultanate, and the Ottoman Empire. These persecutions included the closure and destruction of churches, forced conversions to Islam, and the imposition of heavy taxes (jizya) on those who refused to convert. Christians were subject to this special tax, had limited access to political power, and were exempt from military service.
However, the status of Coptic Christians improved significantly under Muhammad Ali’s rule in the early 19th century. He abolished the jizya and permitted Copts to serve in the military. Pope Cyril IV (1854–61) reformed the Coptic Church and promoted greater Coptic involvement in Egyptian society. Khedive Isma'il Pasha (1863–79) further supported the Copts, appointing them as judges, granting them political rights, and ensuring their representation in government, which enabled them to prosper in business and public affairs.
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Brigitte Gabriel