The Copts of Egypt - The Challenges of Modernisation and Identity (Paperback)

The Copts of Egypt, who consist of 10-15 per cent of the population, have traditionally been viewed as a 'beleaguered and persecuted minority'. Using newly discovered Coptic archival sources Vivian Ibrahim presents a fresh and vivid alternative reading of the community during the twentieth century. Avoiding the established portrayal of a monolithic entity headed by the Coptic Pope, Ibrahim examines the multifaceted dimensions of the Coptic community, assessing Coptic-State relations on one hand and Coptic intra-communal dimensions on the other. Examining the impact of the British Occupation of Egypt on the making of new national identities, she explores the emergence of a new politically active Coptic class; highlighting popular Coptic grassroots mobilisation during the 1919 revolution through the case-study of the Coptic priest Qommus Sergius. She discusses the centrality of the Copt and Wafdist, Makram Ebeid, on constitutional politics, and his role as a whistleblower during the 'Black Book Affair'. Breaking with the portrayal of a defenceless community, Ibrahim also reveals a strong Coptic response to the emergence and threats of Political Islam through the press. She presents and analyses for the first time, the unique satirical 'Ode to the Fezzed Shaykh', aimed at Muslim Brotherhood leader Hassan al-Banna. In 'The Copts of Egypt', Ibrahim also reveals fierce factionalism within the Coptic community in its struggle for modernisation. Examining mass corruption in monasteries and in the run-up to papal election campaigns, she analyses the ways in which the Church used the Egyptian State to bolster its claim to political as well as religious representation over the community. Through the establishment of benevolent and philanthropic societies, Ibrahim argues that Coptic youths were amongst the first to negotiate a role for themselves in post-revolutionary Egypt. Adopting President Nasser's revolutionary rhetoric of tathir, or cleansing, Ibrahim examines how a group of Coptic youths abducted their Pope and forced through their own agenda of religious and political reform. This book will be essential reading for scholars of the Coptic community and Middle East Studies.

General

Imprint:	I.B. Tauris
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	April 2013
First published:	April 2013
Authors:	Vivian Ibrahim
Dimensions:	216 x 138 x 21mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	280
ISBN-13:	978-1-78076-466-5
Categories:	Books > Social sciences > Politics & government > General Books > Humanities > History > World history > 1750 to 1900 Books > Humanities > History > Asian / Middle Eastern history > General Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > Orthodox Churches Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Ethnic studies > Islamic studies Books > Humanities > History > World history > From 1900 > General Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > Christian institutions & organizations > General Books > History > Asian / Middle Eastern history > General Books > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > History > World history > 1750 to 1900 Books > History > World history > From 1900 > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Christian institutions & organizations > General Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Orthodox Churches Books > Christianity > Christian institutions & organizations > General Books > Christianity > Orthodox Churches Promotions
LSN:	1-78076-466-9
Barcode:	9781780764665

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