Arab, Egyptian in Canada

Introduction / History

Ancient Egypt was one of the world's great civilizations. Dynasties of pharaohs ruled Egypt from 3200 B.C. to 341 B.C. Egypt fell to the Persian Arab Muslim conquest in 640 A.D. Arabs, who introduced Islam and the Arabic language to Egypt in the seventh century, ruled for the next six centuries. Ottoman Turks conquered the country in 1517.
After the completion of the Suez Canal in 1869, Egypt became an important transportation hub, but fell heavily into debt. To protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt from 1882 until 1914. They granted full sovereignty to Egypt after World War II.
Not many Egyptians live in Canada. The few who are there began to arrive in 1985 when the Canadian government offered incentives for wealthy Egyptians to live in their country. There was also a small influx after the 2011 Arab Spring. Egyptians in Canada are most likely to be found in Montreal or Ontario.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Some of the Egyptians in Canada arrived because they could not make a living in Egypt. Commonly they are uber drivers. Others are wealthy investors. They tend to be religiously and culturally conservative. There are also college students among them. Egyptians have made their mark on Canadian society through literature, sports and the arts.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Islam became the state religion of Egypt in 1980. The majority of Egyptian Arabs are either Shafi, Maliki or Hanafi Sunni Muslim. Sunni Muslims make up a large minority of Egyptians in Canada. There are more Coptic Christians among them in that northern country.
Copts brought Christianity to Egypt very early, where it remained for 1,000 years as the primary religion. Even today, the great majority of the Christian population are still members of the Coptic Church. Evangelical Christians are a small percentage.

What Are Their Needs?

Those who follow Christ must have love and boldness to be a witness to other Egyptians. With a growing missionary vision, the Egyptian Church has the potential to reach both fellow Egyptians and Arabic speaking people groups in other countries for Christ. The Church is limited by lack of training opportunities, experience and funds. If additional resources are provided, church planters are willing to go.

Prayer Points

Pray that Egyptian Christ followers would become a mighty missionary movement for the Lord.
Pray for Egyptian Arabs to have spiritual hunger and a discernment that will lead them to the cross and the empty grave.
Pray for Egyptian Arab Christians to put their faith in the Risen Christ rather any religious institution.

Text Source:   Joshua Project