Copts and the Security State : Violence, Coercion, and Sectarianism in Contemporary Egypt / Laure Guirguis.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Guirguis, Laure, Author.

Series:

Stanford studies in Middle Eastern and Islamic societies and cultures.

Stanford Studies in Middle Eastern and Islamic Societies and Cultures

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Coptic Church--Political activity.

Coptic Church.

Copts--Political activity.

Copts.

Copts--Government relations.

Egypt--Politics and government--1981-.

Egypt.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (256 pages).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Stanford, CA : Stanford University Press, [2020]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Copts and the Security State combines political, anthropological, and social history to analyze the practices of the Egyptian state and the political acts of the Egyptian Coptic minority. Laure Guirguis considers how the state, through its subjugation of Coptic citizens, reproduces a political order based on religious identity and difference. The leadership of the Coptic Church, in turn, has taken more political stances, thus foreclosing opportunities for secularization or common ground. In each instance, the underlying logics of authoritarianism and sectarianism articulate a fear of the Other, and, as Guirguis argues, are ultimately put to use to justify the expanding Egyptian security state. In outlining the development of the security state, Guirguis focuses on state discourses and practices, with particular emphasis on the period of Hosni Mubarak's rule, and shows the transformation of the Orthodox Coptic Church under the leadership of Pope Chenouda III. She also considers what could be done to counter the growing tensions and violence in Egypt. The 2011 Egyptian uprising constitutes the most radical recent attempt to subvert the predominant order. Still, the revolutionary discourses and practices have not yet brought forward a new system to counter the sectarian rhetoric, and the ongoing counter-revolution continues to repress political dissent.

Contents:

Frontmatter

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

1. Institutionalized Violence and the Identity State

2. Purity as an Embodiment of Security?

3. The Coptic Church as Space of Resistance and Ally of the Regime

4. Intracommunitarian Dynamics and Tensions

5. Sectarianism, Authoritarianism, and the Dynamics of Fear

6. Contesting Sectarianism

CONCLUSION

NOTES

INDEX

Notes:

Includes index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 23. Jul 2020)

ISBN:

9781503600805

1503600807

OCLC:

1178769345