Circassians in Egypt
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| Regions with significant populations | |||||||||||||||||
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| Alexandria, Cairo, Giza, Port Said, Sharqia Governorate | |||||||||||||||||
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| Religion | |||||||||||||||||
| Sunni Muslim (predominant) | |||||||||||||||||
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The Circassians in Egypt refers to people of present-day Egypt who descended from Circassians, the European ethnic group native to Northwest Caucasus (today Russia). They were deeply rooted in Egyptian society and the history of the country. For centuries, Circassians have been part of the ruling elite in Egypt, having served in high military, political and social positions. The Circassian presence in Egypt traces back to 1297 when Lajin became Sultan of Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt. Under the Burji dynasty, Egypt was ruled by twenty one Circassian sultans from 1382 to 1517. Even after the abolishment of the Mamluk Sultanate, Circassians continued to form much of the administrative class in Egypt Eyalet of Ottoman Empire, Khedivate of Egypt, Sultanate of Egypt and Kingdom of Egypt. Following the Revolution of 1952, their political impact has been relatively decreased.
In addition to paternal Circassian monarchs and pashas, the Circassian women, who were brought to marry senior government officials after conversion to Islam, has also contributed to the increase of Circassian population in Egypt. In the Muhammad Ali dynasty, with the exception of Khediva Zubeyda Javidan and the last Queen, Narriman Sadek, who had no known Circassian ancestors, all official khedivas, sultanas and queen consorts of Egypt were ethnic Circassians (either partial or allegedly full). These women include Khediva Emina, Khediva Ikbal, Sultana Melek, Queen Nazli and Queen Farida. Princess Fawzia, who later became Empress consort of Iran, was 10/16th Circassian.
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