The Coptic Theme

Abstract

This chapter explores literary engagements with Coptic Christianity in works by Baha’ Tahir, Idwar al-Kharrat, Salwa Bakr and Yusuf Zaydan. It explores Baha’ Tahir’s Khalati Safiyya wa’l-Dayr (1991) as a complex allegory of religious tolerance and reads Idwar al-Kharrat’s Turabuha Zaʿfaran (1986) as an example of Deleuze and Guattari’s concept of minor discourse whilst paying attention to Christian scriptural reference and themes of religious tolerance and Coptic identity. It then examines how Salwa Bakr’s Al-Bashmuri (1998) and Yusuf Zaydan’s ‘Azazil (2008) rewrite history from a Coptic perspective in order to redress the historical marginalisation of Egypt’s Christians and to destabilise certain myths of history and nation. Religious tolerance, religious violence and religious criticism as represented in these works are also examined.