This document outlines a research project comparing relations between Coptic Christians and Muslims in Egypt from 1990 to 2011. The researcher aims to analyze how the relationship has changed over time by looking at factors like terrorist attacks, population numbers, economic status, politics, national identity, and media coverage. Based on preliminary research, the conclusion is that the relationship has slowly deteriorated in recent years, with a rise in attacks and disagreements in late 2010. Potential causes hypothesized include economic inequality, an increasing Islamic national identity, shifting politics, and greater media attention to tensions. The researcher plans to continue studying how the recent resignation of President Mubarak may further impact Christian-Muslim relations in Egypt.

1. Coptic Christianity vs. Islam
A Comparative study of relations
between Muslims and Christians in
Egypt since 1990

2. Research Question
How has the relationship between
Coptic Christians and Muslims in
Egypt changed during the last 20
years?

3. My Background
• Trip to Egypt in 2008
• Major Specialization: International
Communications focusing on the Middle East
• Religious Heritage of the West
– Christianity and Islam have the same roots
– Interest in communications between religious
groups
• Study Abroad next year (hopefully)

4. Methodology
• Longitudinal Comparative study
– Looking at relations between Coptic
Christians and Muslims from 1990 to 2011
• Factors that I am comparing:
–Number of Terrorist attacks
–Number of Christians
–Economic status of Muslims and Christians
–Political standings
–National identity
–Use of media

5. Sources
• Books
– Makari, Peter E. Conflict & Cooperation: Christian-Muslim
Relations in Contemporary Egypt. Syracuse: Syracuse UP,
2007. Print.
– Hassan, Sana. Christians versus Muslims in Modern Egypt:
the Century-long Struggle for Coptic Equality. Oxford:
Oxford UP, 2003. Print.
• Scholarly Articles
• Newspapers

6. Conclusion
• The relationship has been slowly deteriorating
– There has been an increase in the number of terrorist attacks
and disagreements
• Especially in late 2010
– The number of Christians has decreased
• Hypothetical Causes:
– Economic inequality
– Increasing sense of Islamic national identity
– Changing political ideology
– News Media increased coverage

7. Continuing Research
• How will Mubarak’s resignation effect
this relationship?
– Mubarak was President during the entire time
period I researched
– Depending on what happens in the Fall
Presidential elections, there could be serious
implications for Coptic Christians in Egypt

8. Questions?