The historial effects of centralization of Egyptian Islamic Higher Education

Abstract

This study compared how the centralization of Egyptian Islamic Higher Education historically affected educational quality, probity of school management and general levels of and appreciation for Islamic knowledge. This research compared characteristics of Egyptian Islamic Higher Education during four pivotal historical periods: the early medieval period (623-1300s C.E.); the 15th century; the 16th and 17th centuries; and the period of British and French colonization (the 19th and 20th centuries). The logic behind choosing these time periods for comparison was that they represented times of significant centralization/decentralization. Upon analysis of the effects of centralization and de-centralization, it has been found that the centralization of Islamic Higher Education in Egypt has had negative effects. It was identified that the centralization of Islamic Higher Education played a central role in decreasing educational quality, increasing corruption, decreasing general levels of and appreciation for Islamic knowledge, and even supporting Imperial initiatives. Such findings are important given the current geopolitical situation of increasing centralization of Egyptian Islamic higher education.