The Sphynx Watches: Religious Diversity in Egypt Quiz

Answer: Islam

Islam is the main religion in Egypt, representing 90% of the population. The 1971 constitution allows for religious freedom, but the government holds that any infringements to the Islamic faith are banned. This has led to many tensions among the Egyptian population. Pope Shenouda III was relieved of his religious duties in 1985, but was later re-instated. In 1993, Americans in Egypt were arrested for proselytizing Christianity, but they were later released. Author Ala'a Hamed was jailed when it was deemed his book 'Voyage into the Human Mind' insulted the Islamic faith.

Answer: Disagreement as to who should succeed the Prophet Muhammad upon his death in 632 CE

Whilst there are very many similarities between these two major branches of Islam, including the central role of both the Prophet Muhammad and the Koran, the initial division originated in disagreements on who should succeed Muhammad upon his death in 632 CE. Essentially, Shias believe the leadership should remain within the family of Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Ali. The name Shiites originates as a contraction of the phrase 'Shiat Ali' (followers of Ali). Sunnis wanted the community of Muslims to determine their religious leader and recognise Ali but also the caliphs that preceded him (Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman).

The reality is far more nuanced and complex - interested readers are recommended to look at a wide range of resources on this matter.

Answer: 970 CE

The Mosque is believed to be named in honor of Fatima (the resplendent one, az-Zahra) who was the revered daughter of the Islamic Prophet, Muhammad. It was the first mosque built in Cairo and coincided with the establishment of that city by the Fatimid caliphate.

The mosque was neglected and many religious writings and other important documents were destroyed by the Ayyubid dynasty under Saladin in 1179 CE. However, for most of the time since its construction, including under the extended rule of the Ottoman Empire, the Mosque and associated University have flourished as focal points for religious thinking.

Answer: Abraham and Sarah travel to Egypt to avoid the famine in Canaan.

The second book of the Bible, Exodus, refers to Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. An earlier reference to Abraham is found in Genesis 12:10 (KJV):

"And there was a famine in the land: and Abram went down into Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land."

Abraham, wife Sarah and nephew Lot travel to Egypt to avoid the Canaan famine and Pharaoh is taken with Sarah and makes her his concubine. He gives Abraham gifts of livestock and slaves. One of the slaves, Hagar, becomes Abraham's concubine and the mother of his first son, Ishmael. The Egyptians are struck with plague, and the Pharaoh releases Sarah and they return to Canaan.

In the Book of Exodus (4:19) the Israelites, who are descendants of Joseph and his brothers, are living in Goshen as slaves in Egypt, and are treated inhumanly by their overlords before God commands Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter in 1 Kings 3:1 (KJV).

An Angel in a dream tells Joseph (Jesus' earthly father) to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt, to avoid Jesus being killed by King Herod I; this is written in the Gospel of Matthew 2:13-23 (KJV).

Answer: Mark

The author of "Ecclesiastical History in the 4th century", Eusebius of Caesarea, wrote that St Mark came to Egypt in the first or third year of the reign of Emperor Claudius, (41-43 AD). Isaiah 19:19 (KJV) states, "In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar to the LORD at its border".

The first Christians in Egypt were ordinary people who spoke Egyptian Coptic (derived from the Ancient Egyptian language using Greek letters). Many such people embraced Christianity, whereas many Greeks and Jews did not.

Answer: Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria

The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, also known informally as the Egyptian Orthodox Church, has 19-22 million followers in Africa and the Middle East (and elsewhere) with 15-18 million of these in Egypt. Alexandria is the place where St Mark landed in Egypt and Christianity radiated out over the rest of Egypt within half a century of Mark's arrival. Scriptures were translated from Hebrew into Coptic, which helped the spread of this religion.

Answer: January 7th

Christmas Day is the day Christians believe that Jesus was born, during the reign of Herod the Great. The Coptic Christmas, also known as 'Old Christmas Day', follows the Julian calendar, and so is held on January 7th each year. This predates the Gregorian calendar that puts Christmas on December 25th.

The Coptic month before Christmas is known as kiahk, and is observed for 43 days, during which time Christians eat vegetarian food. On Christmas Eve, followers attend a special church service which often lasts until well after midnight.

After the service, the fast is broken and animal products such as eggs, milk and meat are eaten in a feast.

Answer: 451 CE after the Council of Chalcedon

In 451 CE at the Council of Chalcedon, there were some fundamental differences between how the Coptic Church viewed the nature of Christ, resulting in the Coptic Church breaking away from what was to become the Byzantine Orthodox Church. This split weakened Christianity in Egypt, so when the country was conquered by Arabian Islamic conquerors (The Rashidun Caliphate between 639 and 646 CE), Islam became the major religion.

After World War I, Egypt surprisingly was declared a secular state in 1919 before Islam became the state religion following the amendment of the second article of the Egyptian constitution, enacted in 1980.

Answer: Islamic New Year

The Arabic New Year is observed by Muslims on the first day of the month of Muharram. Originally set to mark the emigration of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina, the New Year is held on the first sighting of the New Moon closest to this time. For this reason the date varies from year to year, following the lunar calendar. Muharram is one of the four sacred months of the year in which warfare is forbidden, and is regarded as the second holiest month, following Ramadan.

Answer: Islamic movement which started in 19th century India

Ahmadiyyan Muslims are a relatively small religious grouping in Egypt. The founder, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) claimed to be the Mahdi (Guided One) expected by Muslims to appear at the end of days. He stated that the group's name originated from Ahmad, an alternative name for the Prophet, Muhammad.

His followers became known as Ahmadis. They have been decried as heretics by many other Islamic groups.