Nasser Tolba

Rethinking Differences: Contextualizing Political Socialization and Social Integration of Coptic Christian Minorities in Light of their Educational Thought in Majority-Dominated Societies. A Comparative Perspective between Egypt and Germany

Angaben zur Person:

Dr. Nasser Tolba

Fürstengraben 6, 07743 Jena

Room 306

nsh02@fayoum.edu.eg

Forschungsinteressen mit Bezug auf Diaspora:

Koptisch-orthodoxe Kirche
Identität
Politische Sozialisation
Soziale Integration
Koptische Sonntagsschulen
Religionsunterricht

Arbeitstitel

Abstract

This project analyzes the role of religious education in the political and social integration of minorities, using the case study of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt and Germany. This project will address the gap by identifying how Coptic identity, belonging and aspirations for equality, are reflected in the teachings and curricula of the Coptic Church; examining the role of religious education as understood by Coptic church leaders, Sunday School teachers, and the community; and investigating the impact of these teachings on Coptic political participation and integration into society. An innovative component of the project is the comparison between the church and community in the homeland and that of the diaspora, which will address to what extent the context of the majority society is important in shaping a minority’s views on integration. To answer the above questions, data collection will occur in two parts. First, content analysis will be conducted on the published teachings of three influential figures in the contemporary Coptic Orthodox Church—Pope Shenouda III, Anba Mosa, General Bishop of the Youth, and Father Mathew the Poor—as well as three Sunday School textbooks. Second, interviews will be conducted with clerics and Sunday School teachers as well as focus groups with Coptic youth. This groundbreaking project will add new perspectives to the role of the Coptic Church in shaping the political and societal integration of its members, both in the homeland and diaspora. Its findings have relevance beyond the case study and contribute to scholarship on the role of religious education in influencing views on political participation and belonging.

Keywords:

Koptisch-orthodoxe Kirche, Identität, politische Sozialisation, soziale Integration, Diaspora, koptische Sonntagsschulen, Religionsunterricht.

Projektlaufzeit

Drei Jahre ab Februar 2025 bis 2028

Förderung