{mosimage}Initially, Egypt was a part of Byzantine Empire and the capital was Constantinopole. However, in the year, 616, Persian Emperor Khosrau II decided to conquer Egypt. He was able to do so and conquered the land and ruled it for 13 years from 616 to 629.

The Egyptians being Christians had believed under the Byzantine rulers that Christ has two forms, one divine and another human, however, after Khosrau II took over, people of Egypt started accepting the form of Christ as only having divine form and not any other, thus becoming Monophysites. However, the Byzantine rulers then again took hold of Egypt and the new Emperor of Egypt, Heraclius started to persecute Monophysites and then began to expel those who were the religious chiefs of all Monophysites.

After getting to know this situation in the country of Egypt, an army of 400 Arabs led by Amr-ibn-Al-as, was sent by Caliph Umar, to conquer and spread Islam , in the country. The Army had an easy conquest over Egypt since, the governor of Egypt, Cyrus, who is said to have been a treacherous person. Moreover, the Byzantine Generals were not competent to fight the complete war.

There was initial resistance was presented by the Byzantines, who started retreating into the walled city. The Byzantines did hold the fort successfully enough for a year. However, the Arabs called for another batch of almost 12000 troops which the Byzantines were not able to defend.

Egypt was lost to Arabs, in the year 640, in the Battle of Heliopolis, then later the Arab army proceed to Alexandria, and captured it easily with a treaty signed on 8th of November 641.

Though Egypt was gone out of control of the Byzantines, yet they tried to take itnover again in the year 645 however, immediately the Arabs has conquered it back. There was another effort to conquer Egypt by Constans II, however, this attack was effectively rebuffed, thereafter there have not been any tries to conquer Eygpt.

The Byzantines, abandoned the city of Alexandria, after Arabs won Egypt, this was one of the main reasons why there was not defence put up for Alexandria, when the ‘Amr, entered the city of Alexandria, he was received with respect. He proved to be a great ruler, he did not insult or take over any property of the Churches.

Though he did not spoil or provide any damage to the churches, he levied heavy taxes on people, the taxes seemed to be so heavy that people were unable to pay these and then decided to sell their children to earn money and pay taxes.

Egypt till date remain dominated by Islam, however, Egyptian muslims were by far liberal and modern as compared to other muslim countries in the Middle East. In Egypt the religious tolerance of the muslims was better than the Byzantines, therefore initially people did not mind the rule of the Arabs. However, things started becoming difficult as soon as the taxes levied started to get heavier and heavier for common people to pay.