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About the author
SOHIRIN MOHAMMAD SOLIHIN was born in Ciamis, West Java, and educated at the Educational Muslim Institute (Indonesia), the Institute of Islamic Studies (Egypt), and al-Azhar University (Egypt). Currently he is a Research Fellow with the Inter-Faith Unit of the Islamic Foundation. Leicester, and also a Post-Graduate Student at the Centre for the Study of Christian and Muslim Relations, University of Birmingham (U.K.).
Summary
COPTS AND MUSLIMS IN EGYPT: ASTUDY ON HARMONY AND HOSTILITY looks at the past experience and the peaceful co-existence of the two communities. It highlights the Copts position under the Muslim rulers and how Muslims and Copts view the situation differently. Though the Muslims claim that they were given equal rights, the Copts dispute this and refuse to regard them as full partners within the state. The book also discusses the struggle of the two communities against Western imperialism where, surprisingly, the Coptic and Muslim leaders, under the banner of Wald, used the religious slogan in pursuit of independence.
The factional conflict which took place in the early stages of post-Independence is also discussed. The issue remains unresolved and frequent incidents occur. Also discussed is the Copts disillusionment with today's regime. mainly on the census of their population, unequal distribution of work opportunities with Muslims and, more importantly, the government's cool response to the growing demand of Islamists to replace the state constitution with Shari'ah. Such issues sometimes become sensitive and government mishandling of the problem has brought about tension.
