Creating a Sectarian Egypt: American Missionaries and the Muslim Brotherhood

Mirna Wasef
History
UC San Diego

On a grassroots level, when unity is formed in common struggle, traditional divisions along sectarian lines can be temporarily suspended or dissolved completely. Once gaining independence from Britain (1952), Egyptian leadership theoretically embraced this national unity shaped by revolution, yet in reality bolstered sectarian divisions. This project deals with the development of sectarianism in 20th century Egypt, and the marginalization of the Coptic minority, by examining the multiple social and political dimensions involved in creating a sectarian Egypt. This project targets current misconceptions that sectarianism is a longstanding, inherent feature of Middle East societies by arguing that as it is manifested in contemporary Egypt, sectarianism is a consequence of external western influence alongside domestic reactions. Using Muslim Brotherhood and American missionary populist journals, pamphlets, and photographs, this project examines how the tension between the external American missionary influence and the domestic counter-reaction of the Brotherhood shaped a sectarian Egypt.