Muslim-Christian relations in Egypt have changed since the fall of Mubārak and the death of Pope Shenouda. A number of events have occurred in the two years since Mubārak’s fall have led to this development.

Before the Revolution, and specifically in the time of the late President Anwar al-Sadāt and Mubārak, Copts had no political voice in Egypt and when they did protest, it was within the confines of the Church. The Church as an institution had been reduced to the single holy person, Pope Shenouda, who due to political circumstances still played a role in Egypt. In the time of the Revolution, pressure from Mubārak and his officials encouraged the Pope and the Grand Shaykh of the Azhar to discourage their followers from protesting. Nevertheless, a significant number of Copts took the streets to protest together with Muslims.

It was, however, not until after the fall of Mubārak that there was a substantial increase in the number of Copts protesting. This increase has been triggered by attacks on numerous churches including, but not limited to Two Saints Church, Saint Mark and Pope Peter, Two Martyrs Church, Saint Mina and Saint George, and Saint George Church of Imbābah, as well as by the violent manner in which the army broke up peaceful sit-ins. Egyptians, both Muslims and Christians, took to the streets to condemn these events.

Christian protesters began coordinating with other political forces, including the Sūfī movement. The founding of the Maspero Youth Union in particular was a turning point for Christian Egyptians. The Maspero Youth Union has become a prominent political movement in Egypt and does not only encourage the merging of all Coptic movements, but also the fusion of Coptic movements with all other political movements. [Peter Majdī, al-Tahrīr, Jan. 24, p. 7] Read original text in Arabic