Modern- Day Egyptian Culture
Religious Beliefs
Since Egypt is populated with mostly Muslim civilians currently, religion plays a large role in the culture. According to the map above, most people are associated with Sunni Muslims. Shia and Sunni Muslims follow the same basic Islamic principles, with some minor differences. Sunni Muslims are the majority over the world, and have a different leader and some different traditions than the Shia population. Nevertheless, Egypt is of Muslim majority. (compare anything)
On the contrary, Coptic Christians of Egypt are the minority. These Christians were given a chance to convert to the Islamic faith but chose not to do so. Religious beliefs in Egypt are taken so far that some jobs do not allow Coptic Christians to even apply. (sacred destinations 2005)
On the contrary, Coptic Christians of Egypt are the minority. These Christians were given a chance to convert to the Islamic faith but chose not to do so. Religious beliefs in Egypt are taken so far that some jobs do not allow Coptic Christians to even apply. (sacred destinations 2005)
Country Statistics
Unemployment Rate
Telephones - Mobile Cellular Internet Users Airports Natural Gas Consumption Labor Force |
12.5% as of 2012
88.425 Million as of 2011 20.136 Million as of 2009 84 as of 2012 46.16 Billion as of 2010 27.24 Million as of 2012 |
Statistics from : Anonymous. (2012). Retrieved from Central Intelligence Agency website: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/eg.html
Child Mortality
The child mortality rate of children dying from 0-5 years of age per one thousand born has immensely gone down in Egypt since the 1950's. In 1954, there were 347 per one thousand children born that were dying. This number has decreased to 21 deaths per one thousand born in 2011.
Communication - Cell Phones
According to the following data, there was 2,627 cell phones total being used in Egypt in the year of 1987. Through the vital use of cell phones and need of convienient communication tools, this number sky-rocketed to 83 Million in 2011.
Children and Elderly
The amount of children and elderly citizens per 100 adults has also decreased over time. In the year 1950, the number was at 73. By 2011, this number reduced to 58. This shows how many more middle aged citizens there are now than back in the 1950s.
Resources on Culture
Here is a website with a great overview of the present day Egyptian Culture and the unique aspects it holds.
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/egypt-country-profile.html
Here is a short and sweet news article about some modern Egyptian customs.
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/customs-beliefs-egypt-today-22770.html
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/egypt-country-profile.html
Here is a short and sweet news article about some modern Egyptian customs.
http://traveltips.usatoday.com/customs-beliefs-egypt-today-22770.html
Religion in Egypt
The religious views in Egypt have been dated approximately 5000 years back in time. These values have been known to set the stage for many religions that are around today. Written artifacts and paintings have shown the progression of the Ancient Egyptian’s religious beliefs of the Afterlife, polytheism, and other concepts. These values of a transitional death to a better after life also carry into other religions today. The spirituality that these people acquired showed the dedication they had to the Gods, Goddesses, Priests, and Pharaohs that they looked up to.
As far as the social development and culture of Egypt, religion has had the largest impact on the country’s formation. They live a certain way of life, and have developed their religious views for over 5000 years. Today, most of Egypt practices the Islamic faith. This is a monotheistic religion that follows the teachings of the Qur’an. This religion still consists of some of the core values found in the original Ancient Egyptian values, such as resurrection and the afterlife.
Some sacred places in Egypt obviously include the Temples, Pyramids, and mosques. There are many spiritual sites that are found in this country because of its beauty and strong sense of religion. The Pyramids of Giza, Mount Sinai, and Ibn Tukun Mosque are all extremely sacred in this country ("Egypt sacred sites-," 2005). Also, one of the main religious establishments, Al-Azhar, is a university, a mosque, and a global center for Sunni Muslims (Tadros, 2010).Those are just a few of the sites of worship and significant events tracked in Egypt’s religious history.
The factor of religion in the Government of Egypt takes a large toll on how the country is run. There is not much acceptance of religion unless you are a Sunni Muslim in this country. Minority groups are usually looked down upon and even attacked. The country of Egypt is commonly looked at as a group identity of Muslim people, rather than individuals. In modern day Egypt, the government is doing their best to limit the role religion has been playing in their society. There has not been much progress though, and the result is still a lack of religious freedom (Tadros, 2010).
As far as the social development and culture of Egypt, religion has had the largest impact on the country’s formation. They live a certain way of life, and have developed their religious views for over 5000 years. Today, most of Egypt practices the Islamic faith. This is a monotheistic religion that follows the teachings of the Qur’an. This religion still consists of some of the core values found in the original Ancient Egyptian values, such as resurrection and the afterlife.
Some sacred places in Egypt obviously include the Temples, Pyramids, and mosques. There are many spiritual sites that are found in this country because of its beauty and strong sense of religion. The Pyramids of Giza, Mount Sinai, and Ibn Tukun Mosque are all extremely sacred in this country ("Egypt sacred sites-," 2005). Also, one of the main religious establishments, Al-Azhar, is a university, a mosque, and a global center for Sunni Muslims (Tadros, 2010).Those are just a few of the sites of worship and significant events tracked in Egypt’s religious history.
The factor of religion in the Government of Egypt takes a large toll on how the country is run. There is not much acceptance of religion unless you are a Sunni Muslim in this country. Minority groups are usually looked down upon and even attacked. The country of Egypt is commonly looked at as a group identity of Muslim people, rather than individuals. In modern day Egypt, the government is doing their best to limit the role religion has been playing in their society. There has not been much progress though, and the result is still a lack of religious freedom (Tadros, 2010).
Preserving Culture
The American Research Center in Egypt has been making efforts to preserve some of Egypt's architecture since 1993. This act has been put into place to save some of Egypt's cultural diversity against the rest of the world. Egypt's unique characteristics want to be saved from it's pre-historic artwork, to its modern-day Islamic projects. There has been much movement in Egypt relating to migration of individuals into this country. Clearly, the agricultural community is a big attraction in Egypt due to the amazing resource of the Nile River. This feature does not need as much help being preserved as the monuments and artwork though (ARCE).
Funding from the United States Agency for International Development has been going toward the movement for cultural conservation in Egypt. It seems that the survival of these cultural materials are resting in the hands of Egypt's archaeological and conservators (ARCE).
Funding from the United States Agency for International Development has been going toward the movement for cultural conservation in Egypt. It seems that the survival of these cultural materials are resting in the hands of Egypt's archaeological and conservators (ARCE).
Food Culture
Food has brought the Egyptian Culture together since the beginning of this country's time. Some of the main food groups that are known as "staples" in Egyptian cooking include: bread, beans, fruit, vegetables, poultry, and fish. These traditional staples have stemmed from when food was farmed early on near the fertile Nile River. Bread and wheat were specifically significant because both the poor and the rich ate it. his was a uniting piece of food in the culture. In the modern day, Egypt has influence from the Arabic people in their cuisine as well as the Middle Eastern countries. (foodbycountry).
Here is a recipe for a dish called "Khoshaf"
Ingredients
1 cup dried prunes
1 cup dried apricots
1 cup dried small figs, halved
1½ cups raisins
1 cup sugar, or to taste
2½ cups boiling water
Procedure
Place all the fruits in a bowl and mix together gently.
Sprinkle the sugar on top of the dried fruits.
Carefully pour the boiling water into the bowl, cover, and allow to cool to room temperature.
Refrigerate for several hours, or overnight if possible. ( Khoshaf is best when allowed to marinate overnight or for several hours before serving.)
Serves 4.
Read more: http://www.foodbycountry.com/Algeria-to-France/Egypt.html#ixzz2RDp2IjKE
Here is a recipe for a dish called "Khoshaf"
Ingredients
1 cup dried prunes
1 cup dried apricots
1 cup dried small figs, halved
1½ cups raisins
1 cup sugar, or to taste
2½ cups boiling water
Procedure
Place all the fruits in a bowl and mix together gently.
Sprinkle the sugar on top of the dried fruits.
Carefully pour the boiling water into the bowl, cover, and allow to cool to room temperature.
Refrigerate for several hours, or overnight if possible. ( Khoshaf is best when allowed to marinate overnight or for several hours before serving.)
Serves 4.
Read more: http://www.foodbycountry.com/Algeria-to-France/Egypt.html#ixzz2RDp2IjKE
Status of Women
As done in my previous research of the status of modern-day women in the country of Egypt, I have certainly discovered a sense of inequality between men and women. The basic gender roles presented in this country suggest that the man is “in charge” of the women, creating a fear lying within them at all times (Egypt – Gender 2011). The female gender is cut out to be a stay at home mother, caring for her children and to possess no opinion whatsoever. This would “disrupt” the societal balance according to the expectations placed before them. The Egyptian women also will be covered from head to toe, as if to cause no attention towards them at any time (Egypt – Gender 2011). The men have the power and rule over the women despite all of the rights and voices that should be heard by these strong, beautiful, intelligent beings.
One gruesome and horrifying fact about the modern day females in Egypt today is that they are being trafficked for sex and are being physically, emotionally, and mentally abused. Figure 1 shows the high quantity of female trafficking in this area. It is also noted that trafficking is “not illegal and commonly practiced”.
One gruesome and horrifying fact about the modern day females in Egypt today is that they are being trafficked for sex and are being physically, emotionally, and mentally abused. Figure 1 shows the high quantity of female trafficking in this area. It is also noted that trafficking is “not illegal and commonly practiced”.
When I was researching more on the facts of trafficking in Egypt, I came across a personal story about a woman who wanted to share her explicit experiences and expose what is truly going on. I read an article titled “Trafficking in lies” on the Daily News Egypt website that shared the story of “Mary” (she did not want to expose her real name due to fear for her family’s security) and the terrors she lived through. Mary first explains about how some individuals claim that trafficking does not exist in Egypt (2012), but she was going to share the truth. Mary explains how she was cruelly beaten and often locked up in the house when her so called “employers” left. She would ask for her salary for her work and would get beaten continually every time she asked for it. She soon went an entire seven months with no money, starving from the little food she got from the housewife and the husband, and was only allowed sleeping for a mere 3 hours on the cold kitchen floor at night. (Anonymous, 2012)
This story goes to show the wretched acts that are still being practice all around the world, and this is just one case. The article explains that the female shelters in Egypt remain full with victims of such a crime and it is proof that trafficking obviously still exists. Many of the victims have obtained broken bones and severe STD’s from such abuse and requires substantial treatment to continue living. (Anonymous, 2012)
This story goes to show the wretched acts that are still being practice all around the world, and this is just one case. The article explains that the female shelters in Egypt remain full with victims of such a crime and it is proof that trafficking obviously still exists. Many of the victims have obtained broken bones and severe STD’s from such abuse and requires substantial treatment to continue living. (Anonymous, 2012)
In Figure 2 above, the map shows the high concentration of women in Egypt who lacked physical security in 2010. This reaffirms the issues that are still continuing today. Women are human beings such as men and therefore should be treated equally. I find it so unfair that these women are exploited and abused simply because of their gender. This slavery sickens me and I wish for better in the near future of this country and many other countries that are having similar issues around the world. Men are supposed to be the providers and the protectors of their wives; these women should not have to fear for their lives in their careers, marriages, or just walking down the street on a daily basis. I pray for change and the awareness of this extremely serious issue that has come to my attention throughout my research.
References:
compare anything. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.diffen.com/difference/Shia_vs_SunniEgypt - gender and family.
Sacred destinations. (2005). Retrieved from http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/egypt-islam.htmInterview with Tadros, S. (2010). Religious freedom in egypt. [0]. Retrieved from http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/11/religious-freedom-in-egyptHistory.com. (n.d.). Ancient egypt. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-egypt
Egypt sacred sites- religious and historical attractions in egypt. (2005). Retrieved from http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/sacred-sites
http://www.arce.org/conservation/featuredconservation?gclid=CLCJ4PzMvLYCFaODQgodHj4APQWise, L. (n.d.). (2011). Retrieved from http://traveltips.usatoday.com/egyptian-staple-foods-1281.html(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.foodbycountry.com/Algeria-to-France/Egypt.html(2011). Retrieved from http://family.jrank.org/pages/439/Egypt-Gender-Family.htmlval moghadam: Women, revolution and the future.
Anonymous. (2012, October 17). Trafficking in lies. Daily News Egypt. Retrieved from http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2012/10/17/trafficking-in-lies/
compare anything. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.diffen.com/difference/Shia_vs_SunniEgypt - gender and family.
Sacred destinations. (2005). Retrieved from http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/egypt-islam.htmInterview with Tadros, S. (2010). Religious freedom in egypt. [0]. Retrieved from http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2010/11/religious-freedom-in-egyptHistory.com. (n.d.). Ancient egypt. Retrieved from http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-egypt
Egypt sacred sites- religious and historical attractions in egypt. (2005). Retrieved from http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/sacred-sites
http://www.arce.org/conservation/featuredconservation?gclid=CLCJ4PzMvLYCFaODQgodHj4APQWise, L. (n.d.). (2011). Retrieved from http://traveltips.usatoday.com/egyptian-staple-foods-1281.html(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.foodbycountry.com/Algeria-to-France/Egypt.html(2011). Retrieved from http://family.jrank.org/pages/439/Egypt-Gender-Family.htmlval moghadam: Women, revolution and the future.
Anonymous. (2012, October 17). Trafficking in lies. Daily News Egypt. Retrieved from http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2012/10/17/trafficking-in-lies/