Inclusivity in Egypt and the Coptic Christians
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Hakki Gurkas
Department
RCHSS – History & Philosophy
Abstract
This project takes a look at the difficult issue of inclusivity and national unity within Egypt through the lens of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution. The revolution saw moments of unity, such as when Christians and Muslims came together in Tahrir Square to protest for freedom and social justice. However, this unity was fleeting as only a few months later, 28 Coptic Christians were killed in the Maspero Massacre and over 300 more were injured. This paper argues that the revolution unveiled the persistence of a deeply ingrained Arab-Muslim bias within the structure of Egypt. By examining themes of martyrdom, Coptic claims to pharaonic lineage, and Islamist and nationalist discourse, this project examines how the Copts resisted marginalization and fought for their belonging in a nation that consistently defined itself in Arab-Muslim terms. By examining works from scholars such as Jacques van der Vliet, Arietta Papaconstantinou, Jason Brownlee, Yosra El Gendi, Marco Pinfari, and others, this project situates the Egyptian Coptic experience within both historical and contemporary contexts.
Disciplines
Near and Middle Eastern Studies
Inclusivity in Egypt and the Coptic Christians
This project takes a look at the difficult issue of inclusivity and national unity within Egypt through the lens of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution. The revolution saw moments of unity, such as when Christians and Muslims came together in Tahrir Square to protest for freedom and social justice. However, this unity was fleeting as only a few months later, 28 Coptic Christians were killed in the Maspero Massacre and over 300 more were injured. This paper argues that the revolution unveiled the persistence of a deeply ingrained Arab-Muslim bias within the structure of Egypt. By examining themes of martyrdom, Coptic claims to pharaonic lineage, and Islamist and nationalist discourse, this project examines how the Copts resisted marginalization and fought for their belonging in a nation that consistently defined itself in Arab-Muslim terms. By examining works from scholars such as Jacques van der Vliet, Arietta Papaconstantinou, Jason Brownlee, Yosra El Gendi, Marco Pinfari, and others, this project situates the Egyptian Coptic experience within both historical and contemporary contexts.