![]() And his frank disbelief in the Trinity caused him to adopt monotheistic attitude, obviously not a million miles from Islam. His relationship with Christianity being one of a practical statesman – religion was useful as long as it was comforting to society, but dangerous if it lead to fanaticism. He is known to have admired the Mohammed – he even learned off by heart several suras of the Koran. ![]() Napoleon's conciliatory approach to Islam is well documented. Whether caliph or provincial governor, Emir, Mamluk or Turkish Pasha, no-one could get by without their assistance. They were the scribes of Ancient Egypt, and in 19th century Egypt they were the accountants. The Copts, Christians in the heart of a Moslem society personified the permanent structures of Egyptian bureaucracy. As with the sheikhs, Napoleon had also to impress the Copts. To do this Napoleon had to enlist the help of the ruling elite of Sheikhs, and to encourage them to take positions of power, in order to bring the rest of Egypt with them. ![]() Napoleon's first manifesto to the Egyptian was couched in particularly attractive terms:ġ) the removal of the Turks from power in EgyptĢ) the introduction of Egyptians in positions of political influence regarding internal mattersĤ) better social and economic conditions. As de facto ruler of the land he went to the mosques and called meetings of the Cairo government or Diwan – all this despite a bloody insurrection in the first months of French rule (Cairo, 21-22 October, 1798). On conquering Egypt Just as he had with Malta, Napoleon set about introducing civic structures and generally bringing what he felt were the benefits of the 'enlightenment' to a backward country.
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