Understanding Islam in Egypt

Understanding Islam in Egypt is important for travelers entering this unique destination. This Egypt travel information provides you with the necessary insight you need before making your trip.

Islam is the State Religion

The nation of Egypt has recognized Islam as its state religion since 1980, meaning that the majority of Egyptian citizens are devout Muslims. Islam, however, is as equally diverse and complex as many of the other major world religions. Currently there are two dominant arms of the Muslim faith - the Sunni Muslims and the Shi’a Muslims.

While there is a small percentage of practicing Christians in the country, around ten to twenty percent of the total population, the majority of public holidays and religious festivals are Islamic in origin. This is the reason visitors to cities and villages throughout Egypt can enjoy the many calls to prayer heard five times each day - performed by “muezzin” in the mosques throughout the country - or witness the evening feasting in cafes during the month of Ramadan.

Islam and the Government

Today’s Islam in Egypt is different even from that of fifty years ago due to a great deal of conflict over the role the government would play in the national faith. Since approximately 640 A.D. Islam has been present in the country, and evolved under the influences of education, social status and government pressures ever since.

For example, the Al Azhar Islamic University is still considered a Sunni Muslim authority, but for a period of time its policies and curriculum have been determined by governmental authorities. This has caused a splintering between those that believe the Muslim faith should be a privately practiced religion and those who feel it should be significantly more dominant in public life.

Regardless of any divides, there are currently commonly upheld beliefs about the national religion. Firstly all devout Muslims believe that their religion defines their personal relationship to God, as well as to all others they encounter – Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Harmony, Peace and Charity

Just as Christianity and Judaism can trace their roots back to Abraham the prophet, so too does Islam, which believes in a single God, and just as the other two dominant world faiths, Muslims devote themselves to harmony, peace, compassion, charity, family commitment and tolerance towards all other faiths and peoples.

The Muslim Family

Islam in Egypt grants women the equal right to an education, to owning property, to working in a profession or business – including public or political life. While headlines may confuse the world about the role of the female in Islam in Egypt and other predominantly Muslim countries, any discrimination or abuses directed at women are done in spite of Islamic beliefs.

While the husband in a family is traditionally responsible for the financial support of the household, and the wife cares for the home and children, there are no hard and fast “rules” against any alterations to such an arrangement. Family dedication in the Muslim faith also means that no disabled, ill, widowed or single family member will ever be left alone or need to fend completely for themselves.

Moderation in All Things

Finally, Islam in Egypt preaches moderation in all things, including dress. This also means the faithful should not participate or practice any fanaticism, extremism or terrorism of any kind, but live under the words and terms of the Islamic holy word in the “Quran”.

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