Bridging Religious Divides and Building a Common Future:

Coptic Christians and Muslims in Egypt

Benjamin MacWilliams, University of Maryland College Park
Bringing together youth leaders from the Muslim and Coptic communities in Egypt
can begin to address the root causes of educational disparities and threats to com-
munal security for Coptic children.

Introduction
The conflict between Coptic (Copts) Christians and Muslims in Egypt can be traced
back to the seventh century.1 Today, Coptic Christians are politically marginalized
oftentimes failing to win more than a handful of the 454 seats in the People’s Assembly
(Egypt’s Parliament).2 Due to this poor political representation, Copts face obstacles
when obtaining ID cards. These
Key Facts
state ID cards are necessary for
• Egyptian Copts are politically disenfranchised,
Coptic youth to gain access to
winning only one out of 454 seats in the 2005
crucial social services.3
parliamentary elections.9
• Official government policies discriminate against
Aside from discrimination in
Copts, including previous laws restricting church
terms of political represen-
construction and repairs.10
tation and policy, Amnesty
• Copts make up around 10% of Egypt’s popula-
International reports, “Egyp-
tion, and represent the largest Christian commu-
tian authorities are not doing
nity in the Middle East.11
enough to protect...(Copts) or
• Coptic-Muslim tensions result in numerous
prosecute their attackers.”4 As
violent clashes each year, including shootings and
a result of law enforcement
arsons.12
discrimination, violence against
• One-third of Egyptians are younger than 14.13
Copts in the form of shoot-
ings, arsons, and other clashes,
continues to be an issue of concern.5 Other effects of this discrimination include a lack
of employment opportunities, and low admission rates into public universities.6 For
Copts under the age of eighteen, the current status quo has an overwhelmingly nega-
tive impact on their individual and communal development. Decreased educational
opportunities and continued communal violence augment social stratification. Discrimi-
nation from political marginalization to slanted educational opportunities continues to
threaten Coptic child development.

Analysis
Egypt’s population is remarkably young: the median age is twenty-five, and almost one-
third of the population is younger than fourteen.7 As a result, Egypt’s political future,
including Coptic-Muslim relations, is in the hands of its youth. If the current generation
maintains the status quo, Coptic child development will be stunted. In such a situation,
interreligious relations will not improve. But, if young Copts and Muslims are taught
to respect one another and live together peacefully, a drastic change is possible. First,
young, moderate Egyptian leaders, both Copts and Muslims must understand their
inexorably linked past and common future. Remembering their human need of the
other, Coptic and Muslim leaders can address issues of discrimination and political dis-
enfranchisement from the ground up. Through educational opportunities and greater
communal safety, the Egyptian youth can positively impact the future of child devel-
opment. The first step is a youth summit where Coptic and Muslim youth can learn
conflict management techniques and build a foundation for future interfaith dialogues
and cooperation.

Next Steps
To create positive, long-term change, Coptic and Muslim student leaders must discuss
their common history, future and basic human needs in a conflict management work-
shop whose goal is conflict transformation: to humanize the other religion and to under-
stand their inexorably linked future. The workshop is a starting point to alter Coptic
Muslim relations in Egypt. Improved educational opportunities and communal security
for Coptic children will ensue.

The workshop will engage two local

partners, the Coptic Evangelical Orga-
nization for Social Services (CEOSS),8
and the American University in Cairo.
A source of local knowledge and
resources, these partners can identify
potential leaders in Coptic and Muslim
communities. A more moderate and
understanding youth culture leads to
a less discriminatory and open society
as a whole. The current and future gen-
erations Egyptian youth will benefit
from these changes.
Talking Points
• With one-third of Egypt’s population un-
der 14, bridging the religious divide at the
student will pay long-term dividends
• Copts and Muslims share common history
and Ethnicity – a starting point for build-
ing consensus and common ground
• Engaging with local partners will utilize
local knowledge and expertise, laying
the groundwork for a successful conflict
transformation workshop.

Endnotes
1. David Zeidan, “The Copts—equal, protected or persecuted? The impact of Islamization on Muslim-Chris-
tian relations in modern Egypt.” Islam and Christian Muslim Relations. 10.1 (1999): 53-67.
2. Nazih Ayubi, “Political Revival of Islam: The Case of Egypt .” International Journal of Middle East Studies.
12.4 (1980): 481-499. Print. (486). < http://www.jstor.org/pss/163131>.
3. Egypt: Human Rights in Arab Republic of Egypt. 2009. Amnesty International, Web. May 1st, 2010.
4. “Egypt: Egyptian authorities failing to protect religious minorities.”January 12th, 2010. Amnestry Interna-
tional, Web, accessed January 14th, 2010. <http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/egypt/report-2009>.
5. Michael Binyon, “Copts between the rock of Islamism and a hard place; The oldest Christian community
faces harsh new pressures.” Times (London), accessed November 14th, 2009, National ed. Web.
6. “2008 Human Rights Report: Egypt.” Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. February 25th,
2009. U.S. State Department, Web, accessed January 21st, 2010 < http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2008/
nea/119114.htm>.
7. “Africa: Egypt.” The World Factbook. 12 Dec 2009. Central Intelligence Agency, Web, accessed January
10th, 2010. < https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/eg.html>.
8. The Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services. Web, accessed January 15th, 2010.
ix Ayubi, “Political Revival of Islam: The Case of Egypt .”
9. Ayubi, “Political Revival of Islam: The Case of Egypt .”
10. Binyon, “Copts between the rock of Islamism and a hard place; The oldest Christian community faces
harsh new pressures.” < http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6916192.ece>.
11. “Africa: Egypt.” The World Factbook. 12 Dec 2009. Central Intelligence Agency, Web. 10 Jan 2010.
12. Binyon, “Copts between the rock of Islamism and a hard place; The oldest Christian community faces
harsh new pressures.”
13. “Africa: Egypt.” The World Factbook. 12 Dec 2009. Central Intelligence Agency, Web. 10 Jan 2010.