Arab West Report Egyptian press summaries and media research for dialogue

The Supreme Council of Culture has released an important book entitled “Al-Jizyah fī Misr (1713 – 1856 AD)” [Jizyahin Egypt] by scholar Ayman Ahmad Mahmūd. The book reveals the existence of some attempts to abolish jizyah prior to the decree of  Muhammad Sa‘īd Pasha (1854-1863). The first attempt came from the Copts themselves and was thwarted. The second attempt was by Napoleon who abolished jizyah during the French Campaign in Egypt. However, it was a temporary abolishment, as it was not maintained after the departure of the French.

 

According to the book, ahl al-dhimmah, were exempted from jizyah in Egypt before all other Ottoman states. Although most scholars believe that jizyah was abolished in Egypt as a result of the articles of the Hamayouni Decree issued in December 1856, Ayman Ahmad Mahmūd reaches an irrefutable conclusion that jizyah was practically abolished a year before the Hamayouni Decree. The book further sheds light on the recruitment of Copts in Egypt, which began in Egypt before other Ottoman states as a consequence of abolishing jizyah. This was an early and important step in Egyptian history in the way of enforcing the principle of citizenship.