Sectarianism and Crises: Bottom-Up Cooperation Initiatives in Egypt and Lebanon
Mohammad Al Hamoush
Mohammad Al HamoushEgypt ,LebanonThis paper analyzes cooperation among religious and civil society organizations in Egypt and Lebanon during recent crises. Both countries have a history of sectarian tension and have experienced significant crises, including sectarian incidents, economic hardship, and the COVID-19 pandemic. In Egypt, recent crises presented opportunities for cooperation between Islamic and Christian institutions and other civil society organizations. For example, a program in Upper Egypt involved collaboration between the Ministry of Social Solidarity and major NGOs to enhance citizenship values. The non-sectarian nature of the Egyptian state and its institutions facilitated cooperation. In contrast, Lebanon’s sectarian political system…