Major Religions in Egypt Today

Islam and Christianity are the two main religions the modern day Egyptians follow. Islam
followers make up approximately 91 of the population. Christianity, a much smaller group, make
up less than 10% of the total citizens meaning about 7 million people are Christian (National
master). The Islamic religion is a commonality that joins the country, therefore, it is illustrated in
the everyday culture.
Islam started in Mecca, Saudi Arabia were its prophet, Muhammad, resided. Saudi Arabia
is adjacent to Egypt so it did not take long for the religion to spread across the Red Sea. From
Mecca through trade routes it spread in all directions. It traveled from Mecca northwest across
the border to Egypts north eastern tip. From there, it continued northwest along the
Mediterranean Sea. It also traveled south from the Egyptians northeastern tip towards Nubia
along the Red Sea (2015).
Christianity look much the same path, however, it started in present day Israel.
Geographically speaking Israel is to the left of Egypt, subsequently the religion moved west from
Israel near the Nile Sea. From there, it moved south along the Sea.
The Islamic faith is very strict on how the family dynamic and social appearances are
portrayed. Women of Egypt are often seen wearing a Hijab to cover most of their face and hair.
However, traditions are rapidly changing and Muslim women are beginning to sway from the full
veil. The outside word plays a huge role in this transition.
Like ancient Egypt social class is a big part of their society. So important that, The
social class an Egyptian is born into dictates their everyday life and the opportunities they will
have (2014). This is a huge difference between developed counties and modern countries.

Christianity, such small population, does not play a big rule a social aspect. Many moral
and values are similar such as showing respect and keeping promises. The Christian faith values
honesty, hence, A man's word is considered his bond and to go back on your word is to bring
dishonor to your family (2014).
Christianity and Islam have slight commonalities, but the belief of Moses is one of them.
Moses was believed to have led the enslaved Jewish population form Egypt to Israel, there holy
land. Today tourist can go to the supposed same place, today its called Mount Moses located
near Saint Catherines Monastery in South Sinai Governorate, Egypt.
The majority of Islamic holy site reside in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, were Muhammad lived.
Some holy site of Islam include: Medina, Jerusalem. The majority of Christians holy site also
reside in the country in which was founded. These site are centered on where the Holy Bible took
place. Some holy site include: Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth.
Egypt has blurred lines were religious principles get in the way of government action.
Egypts government has placed laws and polices so that people can have religious freedom.
However, just because they are in place does not mean the government always follows them.
This example demonstrates how Egypts government is not fair to all of its people,
Released last month found government restrictions on religion in Egypt in 2011
included the use of force against religious groups; failure to prevent religious
discrimination; favoritism of Islam over other religions (Grim, 2013).
Religious people often live within the bounds of what their religion says to be right. They
are all taught specific values and beliefs that they think they must live by, Egyptian people are no
exception. Traditions like social class movement are will be hard to break because there social
etiquette are all centered on the beliefs of Islam. This is understandable, but when they start

interfering with how the government is ran it becomes a problem. Government officials need to
be able to separate their own views form the views how the government should be run.

References:
"Egypt Religion Stats", NationMaster. Retrieved from http://www.nationmaster.com/countryinfo/profiles/Egypt/Religion
Spread of Islam, The. (2015 ). Retrieved March 20, 2015, from
http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/opr/t253/e17
Egypt - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette. (2014). Retrieved March 20, 2015, from
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/egypt-country-profile.html
Grim, B. & SAHGAL, N.,(2013, July 2). Egypt's restrictions on religion coincide with lack of
religious tolerance. Retrieved March 20, 2015, from http://www.pewresearch.org/facttank/2013/07/02/egypts-restrictions-on-religion-coincide-with-lack-of-religious-tolerance/