Cairo, Egypt – French commander Napoleon Bonaparte entered Cairo in 1798, following his victory over the Mamluks at the Battle of the Pyramids.
This marked a pivotal moment in the French campaign in Egypt, which lasted approximately three years.
The campaign left political, military, and cultural scars that would last for decades.
From the moment he arrived, Napoleon realized that military control alone would not be enough to secure his hold on the country.
Therefore, he sought to win over the Egyptians through a series of pronouncements
and publications in which he affirmed his respect for Islam and its customs.
This was an attempt to reassure the population and minimize the chances of resistance.
Napoleon to the Egyptians: We are not targeting your religious identity
In one of his most famous pronouncements, he declared his deep respect for Islam and asserted that the French were not enemies of Muslims.
He claimed they had come to end the oppression of the Mamluks and establish justice.
He also made a point of addressing the Egyptians in religious terms, using familiar vocabulary to lend credibility to his messages.
To reinforce this image, Napoleon established the Cairo Council, which included a number of scholars and dignitaries.
He showed interest in religious institutions and participated in some public events,
attempting to convince the Egyptians that the campaign was not targeting their faith or religious identity.
However, this policy did not fully achieve its objectives, as the Egyptians quickly realized
that the French occupation sought to impose its control over the country.
Consequently, the First Cairo Revolt erupted in October 1798, followed
by a second uprising, both of which were met with brutal force by the French.
Combining military power with political and religious influence
The French campaign was not limited to the military aspect; Napoleon brought with him dozens of scientists, engineers,
and researchers who studied Egypt and documented its antiquities and history.
This later resulted in the publication of the encyclopedia “Description of Egypt,”
which is considered one of the most important historical references on the country.Despite the brevity of the occupation,
Napoleon entry into Cairo remains one of the most significant events in modern Egyptian history.
This is because he combined military force with attempts at political and religious influence.
On the other hand, some historians believe that his pronouncements of respect
for Islam were part of a strategy to gain popular support rather than an expression of genuine conviction.
The course of events and the resistance the campaign faced proved this, until it ended with the withdrawal of French forces from Egypt in 1801.
