The Political Path of Copts in Egypt after 2011

Abstract

The Coptic Church monopolized the religious and political representation of the Copts since the establishment of the Egyptian state. It withdrew from direct involvement in the political sphere during the presidency of Hosni Mubarak, characterized by a close relationship between the Church and the political regime, especially in times of perceived common threats. Consequently, the Church often supported the regime to safeguard against potential risks that might arise if the regime were to fall. In this context, Mubarak's regime used Islamist elements to intimidate the Copts, while justifying its actions by claiming that the secular political system had become sectarian. Consequently, Mubarak's regime closed its doors to Coptic representation within his party. The January 25th, 2011 revolution provided an opportunity for the Copts to act more freely in the political climate. However, this newfound democracy had its challenges, as it witnessed the mobilization and substantial participation of Islamist groups, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, utilizing their organizational capacity. Through this religious polarization, the Islamists succeeded in winning elections, leading to the presidential victory of Mohamed Morsi. The Muslim Brotherhood failed to alleviate the Copts' concerns about religious freedom and their marginalization in state institutions. Moreover, some Brotherhood leaders and their allies adopted a sectarian rhetoric against the Copts, which had negative consequences on the overall political direction of the Brotherhood. This ultimately led to their downfall, paving the way for a new era of governance in Egypt.