The Evolution of the Endowment Office in the Political and Social Developments of the Nineteenth Century Egypt

Over the past two centuries, the history of the Islamic world has narrated the conflict between the native Muslim traditions and the native Western culture. Egyptians, due to the three-year presence of the French government, were among the pioneers in confronting Western culture. Although the activities of the French in Egypt was not as unpleasant as the experiences of other colonialists in the Middle East, anti-Westerners and opponents of the manifestation of the modernization of Muhammad Ali Pasha, who came immediately after the departure of the French from Egypt, known him as a Westernized and dependent element. The aim of this paper which is based on descriptive-analytical method using library sources is to review and study the introverted or Westernized identity of Muhammad Ali Pasha and his successors, as a case study through the process of change and transformation of the “Office of Endowment" as one of the most experienced religio-economic institutions of Muslin community in confronting Egyptian community with modernity. In this regard, this article will compare two important laws which had been approved by Muhammad Ali Pasha and his successors about the “Office of Endowments” and compare its effects with similar laws in the period of Mamluks or Ottoman Sultans. On the other hand, the establishment of the institution and organizations for administration of the “Office of Endowment” during Khadivate until the domination of Britain over the Egypt will be noticed and a report on the evolution of this important governmental institution during the evolution of Egypt’s history in nineteenth century will be presented.