Armenian Egypt

PanARMENIAN.Net - The name of Nubar Pasha, the first Prime Minister of Egypt and the father of renowned official Poghos Nubar, is well known in the modern history of the country. However, Armenians had been occupying Egypt’s highest state positions still in the Middle Ages. Coming to power at the time of hardships and instability, Armenian-born officials contributed to the formation of a stable and strong statehood.

Prospering Fatimid Caliphate

Armenians started settling in Egypt in the 1st century AD. In the 7th-9th centuries, some of them converted to Islam to become eligible for high-ranking military and governmental posts. During the Fatimid Caliphate (969-1171), the tolerance demonstrated towards Christians stimulated the greater flow of Armenians into the country.

In the middle of the 11th century, the power of the Fatimid Caliphate weakened dramatically. The country’s military was ruled by three rival fractions – Berbers, Sudanese and Turks. The capital, Cairo, was under control of Turks, who were not subordinated to the Caliph. Embattled Caliph al-Mustansir appealed for help to Armenian-born Bard al-Jamali, a Mamluk (an Arabic designation for slaves used as a major component of Muslim armies), whose skills advanced him to the post of Damascus emirate governor and then the head of Palestinean city of Akka.

Juyushi Mosque built by Badr al-Jamali

In 1073, with an army consisting of Asorik Armenians, al-Jamali entered Cairo and became vezir and commander in chief. In a short period of time he managed to restore order, punishing all centrist forces and the Egyptian politicians, who sided with them. Al-Jamali not only pulled the country out of chaos but also made the Fatimid dynasty stronger. Besides, his strategic rule allowed taking under control the suburbs of Cairo. Until his death in 1094, al-Jamali enjoyed almost unlimited power in Egypt. He also initiated major construction and restoration works. According to an Arab historian, al-Jamali reconstructed most of the fences and gates in Cairo, while Armenians restored the roads in Edessia.

Islamized Badr al-Jamali relied on his army that included 7-thousand Armenian regiments. The Armenian soldiers and their families resided in a separate district in Cairo, while the flourishing Armenian diaspora got the advantage to build houses and churches in Cairo.

Bab al-Futuh (Conquest Gate), one of three remaining gates in the walls of the Old City of Cairo

Al-Jamali had been so powerful and influential that after his death, the post of vezir and commander was transferred to his son, al-Afdal Shahanshah (1094-1121). Enjoying big powers still under the rule of his father, al-Afdal then became de-facto sovereign of Egypt. Following the death of Caliph al-Mustansir, he succeeded in appointing Caliph’s youngest son al-Mustaali despite fierce opposition. Several years later, after the new Caliph passed away, the Armenian vezir declared his 5-year old brother al-Amri the next caliph, becoming his trustee.

Al-Afdal waged war against Turks Seljuks and restored Egypt’s control over Palestine. He also tried to form an alliance with crusaders to fight Turks but failed.

Al-Afdal’s son Ahmed was the next Armenian-born vezir, who seized the power after a revolt in 1130. He ruled for a year and was overthrown by his father’s stepson Yanis al-Armani, whose rule didn’t exceed a year either.

Bab Zuweila, gates in the walls of the Old City of Cairo built by Badr al-Jamali

Barham al-Armani, the only Christian vezir in Fatimid Caliphate

Unlike other Islamized Armenian vezirs in Egypt, vezir Vahram Pahlavuni (Barham al-Armani) remained true to his nation and faith. He was the son of Armenian Catholicos Krikor II Vkayaser’s sister and migrated to Egypt during Badr al-Jamali’s rule. Visiting Egypt on Caliph’s invitation in 1075, Catholicos Krikor II, appoints his sister’s son, Krikoris, the bishop of the big Armenian community. After that, his sister’s other two sons – Vahram and Vasak – as well as his brother’s sons arrived in Egypt. For the first time Vahram was mentioned in the notes of Arab historians in 1130s as the district head in Nile Delta area.

In 1135, taking advantage of the chaos reigning in Egypt, Vahram heads an Armenian regiment to Cairo and persuades Caliph al-Hafiz to confer the post of vezir on him. The new vezir, named Vahram al-Armani by Egyptians, surrounded himself with a large number of Armenians (about 2000). His brother, Vasak, was appointed the governor of Kush in Upper Egypt. Other kin also got high posts. In Cairo, Vahram had a 20-thousand army staffed with Armenians, while the Armenian community grew considerably, exceeding 30,000.

However, after a short period of time, the Christian vezir has aroused indignation of fanatic Muslim grand people. Caliph Hafiz describes in a letter sent to Sicily king that Varhram’s decision to invite Armenian regiments from Cilicia as “satanic”. Gradually, Caliph and grandees started perceiving the strong Armenian diaspora as a menace for the Fatimid dynasty.

The opposition against Vahram was headed by Gharbia governor RiduanibnAllahshi, who gathered a 30,000 army and, with the help of Caliph, sent it to Cairo in 1137 to “free the land” from the Christian ruler. Vahram united his Armenian army with the state forces, however the latter sided with the rival at the last moment, dooming him to defeat. Vahram and his supporters left for Cilicia but soon afterwards the Caliph allowed him to come back with a small Armenian entourage and settle in Chermak monastery in Upper Egypt to become a clergyman.

The newly appointed vezir, ibn Allahshi launched severe prosecution against Armenians. By his order, fanatic crowds destroyed the houses belonging to Armenians and raided the entire Armenian neighborhood. Vasak was killed while other Armenian-born officials removed from posts. The situation in the country deteriorated sharply, arousing popular indignation. The Caliph was forced to call Vahram back in 1240 and reappoint him to the post of vezir. However, Vahram died a year later to be buried with honors.

After his death, the Armenian community did not flourish any longer, although there were some Armenian-born vezirs in Egypt. The last Armenian vezirs were Talay ibn Ruzik and his son Ibn Ruzik Salih, who ruled in 1154-63. The Armenian regiments were dismissed. The next century saw one Armenian-born vezir and few officials, who, however, renounced their Armenian heritage.

Literature: G. Msrlean, Armenians in Egypt, Cairo 1947; M. Canard, Bahram, Enc. de l’Islam, 1960. A. Alpoyachean, United Arab Republic and Armenians, Cairo, 1960