What is interesting is that at the start of the 1900s, there were 2 competing philosophies:
Pan Arabism
Pharoanism
Pharoanism i.e. emphasizing native Egyptian nationalism arguing for the existence of an Egyptian national continuity from ancient times to the modern era, stressing the role of ancient Egypt and incorporating anti-colonial sentiment.
By the 4th century, the majority of the Egyptians had converted to Christianity and in 535 the Roman Emperor Justinian ordered the Temple of Isis at Philae closed, which marked the formal end of the ancient religion of Egypt
This was condemned by the Muslim brotherhood and others who saw the glorification of Egypt’s ancient history as glorification of pre-Islamic world views and evil.
The Muslim Brotherhood is only tolerated in a few countries now.
Egypt is not a threat to their neighbors. They have been good allies for quite a while.
The head of the Egyptian highest court today, is a Coptic Christian.
I have a good and trusted friend in Cairo who is also.
And another younger friend near Cairo. He is an author, is married to Christian wife. I’ve never asked him if he is a convert. Suspect he is, but there is danger discussing such things even in Egypt.
Another friend ran a blog before Morsi came to power. She is married to a man from Netherlands. And was very active during the removal of Morsi.
Egypt is one of the few nations I would like to visit. Doubt I ever do, but it is interesting.