Character... Exclusive to Egypt
Dr. Milad Hana

 
Although this book is small in size, it is great in importance. It sheds light, in a very concentrated way, on the most salient characteristics which distinguished Egypt from other countries of the world. It stresses that Egypt has its own features which make it unique among other nations and cultures. The book has simple language, well-defined objectives and straightforward approach which avoids much theorization that might distract the reader's attention away from its main goals.

 Hence, the book comes out as a summary of great historical and geographical encyclopedia, or a concentrated doze of knowledge that makes up for many details that may only be interesting to specialists. From the first pages of the book, the author deals directly with his subject matter. He defines the most salient characteristics of Egypt in the following main points:

First :
Since it was unified by King Mina in about 3100 BC, Egypt has been one social entity with its present boundaries. Thus, it is a well-known and established fact that Egypt is the most ancient nation in the world. In this respect, it is different from many other neighbouring entities. It has never been divided, segmented or merged with other entities that have not taken the form of unified independent states except in the twentieth century. However, it is rare to find states, throughout history that have had such constant and well-defined borders as Egypt.

Second :
the people of Egypt are only one people. It is true that due to Egypt's geographical position its people mixed with other peoples and races. Throughout history, they mixed with the Greek, the Romans, the Turks in ancient and modern times, with the peoples of Arab world in the East and West, with the Persians in ancient times, with the Tartars during the Mameluke age, and with the people of Africa through Nubia. But, they formed from all this mix a homogeneous human entity.

Third :
The Egyptians were the first people who knew that there is “another life” after this present world and realized that there is judgment on the doomsday on man's actions and behaviour in this present world, and recorded man's judgment after death in the "Book of the Dead". Thus, the Egyptians have been religious people since the dawn of history until today.

They have contributed to the formulation of religious thought in the three heavenly religions that appeared in the Arab East. But, religious inclinations of the Egyptian people are modernate, and ancient Egyptian religions did not impede them from creating all methods of cultivation and all kinds of arts, sculpture, architecture, in addition to medicine, mathematics, astronomy and philosophy. This has also been true throughout the Christian and Islamic ears. The genuine and profound religious spirit of the Egyptian people has never impeded their constructive participation in various human activities. In this respect, the Egyptian people realized great historical achievements to which human civilization bears witness throughout ages.

Fourth :
Egypt has changed its religion and language three times. Through ages, continuous cultural layers have been accumulated upon each other in the Egyptian history and left their impact upon the Egyptian man's mind and soul. But throughout their long history, the Egyptians have had one unified spoken and written language, which is testimony to the unity of the Egyptian culture. For a long time, they held fast to their inherited ancient language and religions until they adopted Christianity and formulated the Coptic language.

When the Arabs came to Egypt, the Egyptians gradually changed their religion to Islam. But this change, contrary to many other nations, had taken many centuries in Egypt; and this is one of the reasons behind the continuity of Christianity in Egypt until today. Throughout these centuries, religions changed in many countries, and Christianity disappeared from some countries and was replaced by Islam alone. But Christianity remained in Egypt. This is one of the unique characteristics of which Egypt boasts and in which it takes pride.

 The author attributes this phenomenon to the fact that Egypt's conversion from Christianity to Islam took place in gradual manner through an extraordinary interaction within different Egyptian families. This gradual process has resulted in the emergence of a unique Egyptian formula seeking a common ground in the two religions, avoiding issues that might cause difference or dispute, and giving prominence to religious teachings that call for mercy, compassion, tolerance and mutual good treatment. The author confirms that this is one of the main characteristics of the great majority of Egyptian people.

Fifth :
This religious plurality is due, in the author's view, to the flat surface of the Egyptian land which led to the simplicity and magnanimity of the Egyptian people and peaceful coexistence among religions. In consequence, Egypt has been one of the first countries which adopted political pluralism in parliamentary council since 1866.

Sixth :
Islam has become the religion of the majority and the Arabic language has spread to replace the Coptic language, it became the popular language of all Egyptians, and through time an Arabic culture with an Islamic flavor has been formed for all Egyptians. This distinctive Egyptian entity has been formed from different accumulated cultural layers, and Egypt's Arab affiliation has become part of the cultural constituents of the Egyptian people; Muslims and Copts alike.

Seventh :
The fact that Egypt, historically, geographically and culturally overlooks the Mediterranean Sea gives it certain characteristics that distinguish it from other Arab countries overlooking the Mediterranean. From the historical side, Egypt was primarily the giver in the early ages, which were followed by an era during which Egypt derived same philosophical ideas from the Greek. At a later period, the Egyptians chose writing their language in Greek letters, thus producing the Coptic language. Moreover, Egypt had interacted, in due course, with the civilizations of the Roman and Byzantine empires. In modern times, and since the French campaign against Egypt in 1798, relations were resumed with the Mediterranean civilizations.

During Mohammed Ali's reign, missions were sent to Europe as a strange point to Egypt's modern renaissance in various fields. From the geographical side, Egypt's position created indispensable characteristics and affiliations to Egypt. In view of its central position amidst the Arab countries, Egypt has been and will continue to be the heart of the Arab nation. Besides, Egypt belongs to the group of nations of the Mediterranean basin. This has reflected on the cultural and psychological formation of the Egyptian man.

The author considers that Egypt's affiliation to Africa is an affiliation to the future. He stressed that many of Egypt's problems will be solved through stronger relations with Africa in the next century. In this respect, the author refers to what Dr. Gamal Hamad stated in his valuable book; "The personality of Egypt: a study in genius loci." He said, "While Egypt is African in land and water, it is caucasian-European in race and blood. In this sense, it can be said that the Egyptians are semi-Europeans".

It is true that Egypt is part of Africa, but it is Asian in orientation, history, influence and destiny. In the final analysis, Egypt is half European, one third Asian and one sixth African. From its inside, Europe begins at Alexandria, Asia begins at Cairo and Africa begins at Aswan. There is no contradiction or polarization between the Egyptian and Arab characteristics, but they both constitute one unified national entity...Throughout most of the book, the author reviews in some detail Egypt's historical affiliations from the Pharaonic to the Islamic.

He stressed that Egypt's Pharaonic affiliation had a far-reaching effect in defining the characteristics of the Egyptian personality. As evidence, some customs, traditions and practices of ancient Egyptians are still vivid until today.