Coptic Cairo
Coptic Cairo
القاهره القبطية
Copts is the term used to describe the Christians of Egypt. Although Egypt is predominantly Muslim now, it celebrates a strong history of religions beginning with ancient Egyptian religion, Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Today standing monuments and living traditions indicate this deep history.
The word Copt itself is a big indication to how deep and far Christianity goes in Egypt. It is derived from the Arabic word Qubti, which is an Arabization derived from the Greek word Agyptos, meaning Egypt. There’s also a Coptic language written with letters from the greek alphabet and symbols from the Demotic script which is a development of the late Egyptian language. It is still used today in chanting and in ceremonies in churches.
Today visiting Old Cairo is also visiting Coptic history. It is easily reached by underground and descending in the station of Mar Girgis or Saint George. It encompasses the Babylon Fortress, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, the Coptic Museum, the Hanging Church, and many others. The area was a stronghold for christianity in Egypt until the Islamic era, although most of the churches in coptic Cairo were built after the Muslim conquest.
The most celebrated aspects however of the Christian religion- wether by Muslims or christians, is the Holy Family. The Holy Family fled into Egypt from Herod and today many churches are located on their trails and hiding spots throughout Egypt especially south of Cairo. There are also many moulids, or local celebrations of Christian Saints, that are held and attended by both Christians and Muslims.
Although there may be many conflicts between Christians and Muslims today, they are mostly generated by economic and political differences and least of which are caused by religion. Many Muslims endear and love the Virgin Mary and Jesus (or Eissa in Arabic) as they are celebrated and praised in the Quran. There’s a whole chapter in the Quran called ‘surat Mariam’ or the chapter of Mary, in which the story of her birth, upbringing, bravery and sufferance are narrated. It is not therefore surprising that many Muslim girls are called Mariam. Jesus, or Eissa peace be on him, is also celebrated as a loving and gentle prophet and is referred to as ‘the word of God’, as he was conceived without a father but by one word ordering his existence by God.
Posted in What did we Inherit as Arabs?
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