The boom raises an interesting point, and one with which I whole-heartedly agree. Egyptian Islam possesses a unique character, being the result of an accumulation of civilisations and cultures. It is almost preconditioned towards tolerance, something which one seldom finds in other Islamic countries. What brings Muslims and Copts together in Egypt is their recognition of the fact that they are both Egyptian. I love the way the author sums up his argument, saying that Egyptian culture stands on two feet, Egyptian Islam and Egyptian Christianity, and that both stand firm on the rock of Pharaonic culture.
Egyptian tolerance has deep historical roots.
But Egyptian tolerance does not manifest itself only in religion. It encompasses, too, all areas of thought and philosophy. Both Muslim Sheikhs of Al-Azhar and Coptic priests faced the guns of the British soldiers. In a way we are both survivors, witnesses of another.