Egypt for Which Egyptians? Copts and the Egyptian Nationalist Movement, 1882-1919

Much has been written about the formative years of the Egyptian nationalist movement, between 1882 and 1919.However, little inquiry has been devoted to examining the role of Coptic Christians, Egypt's largest minority, in thedevelopment of this movement. For most of this period, Islamic loyalties were utilized to rouse nationalist orOttomanist sentiments in the fighting against the British occupation of Egypt. Various movement leaders attempted to incorporate Egypt's religious minorities in their struggle, yet they were mostly unsuccessful.For centuries, Coptic Christians have formed an integral part of Egyptian life; however, in this era when Egyptians began to envision their heritage via conceptions of language, history, religion and culture, Copts felt little connection to prevailing discourses invoking Islamic sentiments. Indeed they had more affinity to the then-lesspopular ideals regarding a Pharaonic heritage. As a result of a growing sense of disillusionment and isolation, Coptic intellectuals began to advocate their own brand of nationalism. Their ideals of nationhood did not espouse a separate Egypt, geographically or politically, but they did propose a secular type of nationalism that looked forguidance and inspiration in a distant Pharaonic past, and which might allow Muslims and Copts to cooperate andexperience a true sense of fraternity. Furthermore, Copts adopted Pharaonicism as a means of experimenting with and establishing their identity as descendants of the Pharaohs and therefore as "true" Egyptians, an identity they were often pressured to reassert during times of intercommunal strife, customarily agitated by the British. This work examines the historical background that gave rise to these Coptic ideals between 1882 and 1919, exploring the meaning and significance of their imagined nationhood.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

History

Grantor dc:publisher

The Ohio State University

Year dc:date

1998

Author dc:creator

• Armanios, Febe Yousry

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hathaway, Jane

• History

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1364295503

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:osu1364295503