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Reflection paper 2: Egypt, between Assimilation and Multiculturalism

Department of Rhetoric and Composition, The American University in Cairo

CORE1010: Freshman Seminar

Yahia Kilany

Dr.Hossam Attiah

May 17, 2023

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Reflection paper 2: Egypt, between Assimilation and Multiculturalism

The stance of Egyptians towards migration has always fascinated me. I notice the

numerous Syrian shawarma shops as I am walking through the busy streets because of the

inviting smells they emit. The thing that strikes me the most about these establishments is the

lively atmosphere where Syrian chefs and customers talk to one another. As Egyptians and

Syrians exchange compliments and respect, laughter, jokes, and friendly banter fill the

surroundings. It is evidence of multiculturalism's potential, where cultural exchange flourishes

and links are made between various communities. In contrast to this vibrant scene, though, I can't

help but notice a reality in the area where I grew up. Outside of the shawarma shops, there don't

seem to be many Syrians. I can never figure out whether we Egyptians prefer multiculturalism

and for migrants to share their culture with us or we like to assimilate the migrants and for the

migrants to talk in our accents and speak in our language and eat our food. I tried to make sense

of these contradictions in this paper by interviewing several migrants. However, The clashing

reports and conflicting narratives that emerged throughout my research further deepened the

sense of disparity and confusion. It became clear that the Egyptian community's attitude towards

migration falls somewhere in the middle, walking a fine line between inherent intolerance and

cultural openness.

A variety of experiences came out in my interviews, revealing the various realities that

migrants in Egypt face. Interviewee A, a Syrian refugee, shared a profoundly challenging

journey. His recollections were filled with incidents of struggles, including taunts, mocking of

his accent, and even disdain for his native cuisine while he was attending school. He vividly

described times when he felt ridiculed and overlooked, especially when he was with his family
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and carrying the burden of his Syrian identity. He didn't start to feel any acceptance until he

made the difficult choice to lose his accent and stop bringing his home-cooked meals to school.

In surrendering elements of his heritage, he found that his sense of alienation started to fade,

being replaced by a newfound sense of belonging as he started to act in ways that were more

typical of Egyptian society. It serves as a somber reminder of the difficulties faced. His

experiences effectively record an upsetting vision of Egyptian society, one that is marked by a

worrying degree of intolerance and prejudice towards people of different nationalities and one

where public mockery of others is accepted and normalized.

However, it's crucial to remember that Interviewee A's experiences only offer one

viewpoint. The interviews that followed with brothers from Tunisia, Interviewees B1, and B2,

provided a startling contrast to the story of assimilation and prejudice. Their stories revealed a

different aspect of Egyptian society, one where tolerance and acceptance were more common.

Interviewee B1, the older brother, proudly maintained his Tunisian accent and freely

enjoyed his native cuisine. He described pleasant encounters and little harassment, expressing

comfort, and highlighting how quickly he and his family were accepted by his neighbors who

started to invite them to picnics and dinners almost immediately. It did not prevent him from

integrating and building relationships with the neighborhood or from maintaining his cultural

identity. In fact, his distinctive accent and food seemed to pique his Egyptian peers' interest and

appreciation. Interviewee B2, the younger brother, had a slightly different experience. He noted

that while he too was accepted and tolerated, over time his accent started to soften and his

mannerisms started to resemble those of Egyptians. His transformation was not a deliberate

choice but rather an organic response to his environment, influenced by his immigration at a

young age. The change in his behavior made it easier for him to interact with people, but it was
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not forced upon him nor did he face external pressure to conform. B2's experience sheds light on

the complex dynamics within Egyptian society, highlighting that assimilation can occur naturally

as individuals adapt to their surroundings and seek acceptance.

To further explore the diverse perspectives and gain a more nuanced understanding of

Egyptian society, I conducted an interview with Interviewee C, a Sudanese woman. Her

observations and experiences gave the conversation a new dimension. Even though she

occasionally experienced bullying and discrimination, she revealed that she also encountered

pockets of acceptance and support within the Egyptian community. She emphasized the value of

staying true to oneself and embracing one's cultural heritage because doing so not only

strengthens one's sense of self but also promotes respect and appreciation between various

communities.

The experiences of Interviewees A, B1, B2, and C collectively depict the complex social

fabric of Egyptian society's perception of migration, which ranges from intolerance and prejudice

to acceptance and cross-cultural exchange. These conflicting stories show that there is no one

strategy or shared viewpoint regarding migrants and their integration. Instead, Egyptian society

is a continuum that delicately juggles multiculturalism and assimilation.

Personally, I attribute this delicate balance to the profound political changes that Egypt

has undergone Historically, Egypt experienced periods of foreign rule, whether by the Turks or

the British, which forced Egyptians to interact with multiple nationalities, forcing a situation of

multiculturalism and acceptance. However, after the end of the monarchy, came a violent

nationalistic rule under Egypt's second president Gamal Abd Al-Nasser. The sudden between

these two governing bodies and their outlook on the Egyptian identity, whether by a belittling

apathy or by absolute supremacy, made Egyptians lag behind this change. Egyptians were left
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grappling with this transformative change, resulting in the disparities we observe today.

In conclusion, the stance of Egyptians towards migration is complex, encompassing both

intolerance and cultural openness. Migrants who participated in interviews shared a variety of

experiences, from discrimination and assimilation to acceptance and cultural preservation.

Migration is viewed differently across a continuum in Egyptian society, depending on historical

context and current political climate. Empathy, tolerance, and intercultural communication must

all be encouraged in order to create a society that is more inclusive. Egypt can use migration's

transformative power for the benefit of people and the country by embracing diversity and

appreciating the contributions of refugees.

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Appendix A

1. Could you share your experiences of living in Egypt as a refugee and the interactions

you've had with the local community?

2. How do you perceive the cultural diversity in Egypt, and how has it influenced your

sense of identity and belonging?

3. Have you felt any pressure to assimilate into the Egyptian culture? If so, could you

describe the factors or situations that led to this pressure?

4. Have there been any challenges or opportunities in preserving your cultural practices,

language, or accent?

5. Have you encountered any instances of discrimination, harassment, or acceptance from

the local community based on your cultural background or identity?

6. What policies, initiatives, or changes would you recommend to improve the integration

experience for refugees in Egypt and foster a more inclusive society?

7. How do you envision the role of education and schools in fostering an inclusive

environment for refugees in Egypt??

8. Can you share any positive cross-cultural interactions or experiences of acceptance and

support you have encountered in Egypt?

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9. Have you observed any differences in the experiences of refugees from different cultural

backgrounds in Egypt? If so, what do you think contributes to these differences?

10. How do you envision Egypt's future regarding cultural diversity, integration, and the

coexistence of different cultural identities?

Appendix B

Interview A
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Abdallah Abd-El-Qader, A Syrian refugee whose family was forced to flee due to the war was 10

when he refuged and has been living in Egypt/Cairo for 9 years.

Interview B1,B2

Bassel Zenhom(left), Asser Zenhom(right). Two Tunisian migrant brothers with the older brother

being Bassel and the Younger being Asser Whose family migrated to Egypt in 2014

Bassel was 12 when they immigrated and Asser was 7. They have been living in Cairo ever since
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Interview C.

Interviewee C asked not to be named or pictured. She is a South Sudanese woman that traveled

to Egypt when she was 19 in 2015 to enter Cairo University. After her graduation, she decided to

complete her immigration paper and continue living in Egypt to build her career.