Copts in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
The Rizks: A Family of Distinguished Politicians
By Youssef Simaika
Moalem Rizk
Moalem Rizk lived during the time of the Mamelukes. Some members of his family lived in the province of Sharkia and others in the province of Dakahlia. In his book Wonders of Antiquity, the celebrated historian Abdel Rahman El Gabarti refers to Rizk as “the Chief Counsellor and Chief Treasurer in charge of the Royal Mint and charged with all financial matters” during the reign of Ali Bey El Kebir (Ali Bey the Great), in he second half of the eighteenth century. To quote El Gabarti again, “no Copt had had ever reached the high position that he (Rizk) occupied” and “The Copts’ standing in society were very much bettered during the reign of El Kebir thanks to the high regard accorded to Moalem Rizk and Ibrahim El Gabarti”.
Encounter with James Bruce
During Moalem Rizk’s tenure in Ali Bey’s service, and precisely in 1768 AD, a Scottish explorer named James Bruce arrived in Egypt having travelled along the North African coast all the way from Algiers where he had been posted as British Consul. Bruce’s plan was to travel up the Nile to Ethiopia in order to discover the source of that river.
Bruce’s luggage was confiscated by the Alexandria customs officers. On hearing of this, Rizk advised Ali Bey as to the injustice and absurdity of such action. The latter duly issued a decree safeguarding the safe passage of Bruce on Egyptian soil and ordering the Alexandria customs authorities not only to release the latter’s luggage but also to waive any taxes due.
On arriving in Cairo, Bruce sent Rizk a large sum of money as a present in gratitude for what he had done. Rizk returned the gift and sent Bruce a most valuable one in return. Moalem Rizk arranged for his guest to stay in quarters situated in Babylon in old Cairo and took every measure to ensure that the Scotsman’s stay was as enjoyable as possible. Rizk also arranged for Bruce to meet Ali Bey El Kebir who in his turn was a most hospitable host.
A man of many a talent, Rizk had a wide knowledge of astronomy. When he paid Bruce a visit, he asked him to demonstrate for him the instruments of astronomy that he had brought along to help him navigate during his travels in Africa. Bruce was only too happy to oblige. Rizk finally provided Bruce with a letter of introduction from the Coptic Patriarch to Tecla Haimanout, King of Ethiopia.
His removal from office
Ali Bey El Kebir was betrayed and killed by one of his own Mamelukes, Mohamed Bey Aboul Dahab, in 1773 AD. Some historians have it that, on assuming power, Aboul Dahab had Rizk executed. Others believe that Rizk was unscathed thanks to the influence of senior Mamelukes who regarded highly his integrity and capability. Those same historians have it that Moalem Rizk was however removed from office by Aboul Dahab who also forbade the use of coins minted by Rizk during Ai Bey El Kebir’s reign.
Moalems Ghobrial Rizk and Nessim Rizk
Moalem Rizk’s two sons, Moalems Ghobrial and Nessim, were known for their wisdom and sagacity. The inhabitants of their provinces used to refer to them to settle problems and disputes. Ali Bey El Kebir, on hearing of their ability, issued the following decree to the Governor of the province of East Delta on Moharram 1st, 1183 AH: “ Coming to you, the brothers Ghobrial and Nessim, to be put in charge of all legal matters, including the application of the Islamic law”. This is a very rare case, if not indeed the only case, in which Copts were appointed as judges in the Islamic courts of law.
Moalem Rizk Ghobrial Rizk (Rizk Agha)
Moalem Rizk Ghobrial Rizk, Ghobrial’s son and Moalem Rizk’s grandson, was, like his father and grandfather, a man of integrity and principles. In 1814, Mohamed Ali, Viceroy of Egypt, nominated him as Governor of a large part of the province of the East Delta, which today comprises the provinces of Dakahlia and Sharkia. His duties included policing these provinces and levying taxes. His influence extended to the area east of the Damietta branch of the Delta where Mohamed Ali also entrusted him with repelling marauders and keeping security.
In gratitude for Rizk’s services to the State, Mohamed Ali granted him the Turkish title of Agha, an honour only conferred upon very few important governors. Rizk Agha was a most competent ruler who managed to maintaine peace and security in his province by being both fair and firm. In Wonders of Antiquity, El Gabarti refers to an official letter, written by Mohamed Ali to Rizk Agha and dated 5th of Ragab 1245 AH, in which he addresses him as “Rizk Agha Ghobrial, the Pearl of the Honourable, Governor of Dakahlia”.
An honourable man
In March 1822, Ibrahim Pasha, the eldest son of Mohamed Ali, and Moalem Ghali, the government’s Head Clerk, paid Rizk Agha a visit and stayed with him for a few days in his residence in Meet Yaeesh. On May 5fth 1822 and after the visit, Ibrahim Pasha and Ghalib rode to nearby Zefta where the Pasha ordered Ghalib to impose more taxes on the peasants. When Moalem Ghali advised him against it, Ibrahim Pasha shot him dead and gave orders that his body be left in the open as a prey for the vultures and as an example of what becomes of anyone who dared question his orders.
Sure enough no one ventured to bury the body until Rizk Agha, learning of what had happened, rode to where Moalem Ghali’s body had been lying and took it to the Zefta Coptic Church for burial. When Ibrahim Pasha questioned why he had disobeyed his orders, Rizk Agha simply replied “My Lord, you can only take your revenge from the living”. Because of his competence and integrity, Rizk Agha retained his Governor post until his death in 1850 AD. He left two sons: Rizk and Youssef. The latter went on to become a member of the Legislative Council.
Moalem Ghobrial
Of Rizk Agha’s family there was also Moalem Ghobrial (precise relation unknown) who was a member of the Legislative Council during the reign of Khedive Ismail. In 1869 and around the time of the opening of the Suez Canal, the Khedive attended a meeting of the Council and proceeded to ask its members for their opinions regarding the canal. All of the members were full of praise for the Khedive and the canal. Referring to the debts incurred by Egypt because of the canal, Moalem Ghobrial replied:”You have dug Egypt a grave Effendeena (Your Highness), and have put us under the mercy of other nations”.
References
- Wonders of Antiquity. Abdel Rahman El Gabarti
- The life of an Egyptian Doctor. Naguib Mahfouz
- The Coptic Encyclopedia. Aziz S. Atiya
- The Blue Nile. Alan Moorehead
- The Coptic Church: Its History and Patriotism. El Kommos Antonios El Antouny