Generally speaking, one does not find close friends in Egypt who are Christian and Muslim. In other words, those of opposite religion like Christians and Muslims rarely make close friends in Egypt, although you do find them once in a while. First of all, the Coptic Christians in Egypt are even a smaller minority than Muslims are in the United States. Secondly, despite animosity directed at Muslim by some in our society, overall, Muslims are not persecuted in this country as Christians are in Egypt. The Christians in Egypt are definitely at a disadvantage and are treated as second class citizens. Therefore, as I said, it is an exception to find close friends in Egypt who are Muslim and Christian.
My friends Zaki and Shahir are that rare exception. They are the closest of friends, although they seem to have very little in common except that both attended the American University in Cairo, and both are avid hunting enthusiasts. I met Zaki and Shahir during my first year in Cairo through my friend John Brey, who knew them from his prior stay in Egypt. John and I hit it off immediately upon meeting, since we were like-minded avid hunting enthusiasts and John introduced me to Zaki and Shahir.
Zaki is a Muslim and at least ten years older than Shahir. At the time I met them, in mid 1990s, Zaki was in his early fifties while Shahir was in his late thirties. Zaki was married and had a teenaged son, while Shahir was a bachelor and was living with his girl friend. Zaki's wife, although a Muslim, was raised in England and was not a practicing Muslim. In fact, no one in Zaki's family appeared to be a devout Muslim. Shahir, a Coptic Christian, lived with a Muslim Palestinian girl who also appeared to be not very devout. All of them consumed alcoholic beverages in liberal amounts! Shahir was the only one of the bunch who was not forbidden to partake in alcoholic drinks by his religion. Although Shahir was living with his Palestinian girl friend, he had no plans to marry her because his widowed mother opposed his marriage to a Muslim! It seemed to me to be somewhat of an awkward situation all around, not just Shahir's romantic arrangement but his friendship with Zaki as well. But as I have mentioned elsewhere, in another blog, Egypt is truly a land of mystery and seems to possess a split personality in many areas!
Zaki was/is the owner of perhaps the best known jewelry store in Khan Il Khalili, the huge souk (Arabic market) in Cairo. His store was well known and was extremely popular with foreigners in particular. Inside his store, one wall was plastered with photographs and business cards of his clients that ranged from General Norman Schwartzkopf of Gulf War fame and Tipper Gore (ex-wife of Vice President Gore at the time) to lesser known personalities. Tipper, as the Vice President's wife, used to come to Cairo at least once a year during his tenure. Apparently Egypt was her favorite vacation spot so she used to come out frequently, giving US Embassy staff fits each time she came! Zaki was especially proud of the photo with "Stormin' Norman." So, Zaki was a very well known and successful businessman in Cairo.
Shahir came from a very well to do Coptic Christian family. His father apparently was a very successful entrepreneur and owned buildings in Cairo as well in Alexandria up north. His family, it seems, lived off the investments that his father made. However, Shahir did dabble in business on his own. When we were in Cairo, he got into the business of importing "antiques" from India and Pakistan. Essentially he imported some old stuff and resold it in Cairo to foreigners for a profit. We bought some Indian metal ware that we still have. Nothing expensive or unusual, just some metal statuary of birds that we have in our yard.
Zaki and Shahir are the closest of friends who seem to have little in common other than their mutual interest in hunting and drinking! Their social interaction consisted of going hunting together or getting together to drink! Their families were not close or friendly with each other, so their friendship revolved around those two activities and only the two of them plus Zaki's wife and Shahir's girl friend, like double dating! But, their friendship seems to persevere despite their differences in religion, age, and indeed, even life style. One is a married man with a son, the other a bachelor with a girl friend! When not hunting or drinking together, Zaki socialized with other married couples and their families while Shahir led the life of a swinging bachelor, with a girl friend, of course.
Zaki and Shahir are indeed the so-called "odd couple of Egypt." I wrote a short piece about them in Snap Shots, couldn't resist mentioning their unusual friendship. If only the rest of Egypt and its people got along as Zaki and Shahir, there would be a lot less problems in that country. Unfortunately, the vast majority of Muslim Egyptians do not like and do not associate with Coptic Christians. It was especially bad during the short reign of Muslim Brotherhood when Coptic Christians were actively persecuted! But, Zaki's and Shahir's friendship persevered through it all. They still hunt and drink together, although not as frequently as in the past. I guess time catches up with everyone!
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