Islam became the majority religion in Egypt sometime between the 10th and 12th centuries.
While the initial Islamic conquest of Egypt occurred in the 7th century (639-642 AD), the complete conversion of the population to Islam was a gradual process that spanned several centuries.
Here's a breakdown of the key factors:
- Gradual Conversion: The shift wasn't immediate. Initially, a significant portion of the Egyptian population, primarily Coptic Christians, continued to practice their faith.
- Language Shift: Over time, Arabic replaced Coptic and Greek as the dominant language. These were formerly the languages of everyday communication and government, respectively. This linguistic shift facilitated the spread of Islamic culture and beliefs.
- 10th-12th Centuries: The reference text indicates that Islam achieved majority status in Egypt sometime between the 10th and 12th centuries. This period marks the culmination of the conversion process.