Language Distribution in Egypt by George Keough

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 3, 1910

Language Distribution in Egypt

By George Keough

OUTSIDE of the large towns there is no need of any language but Arabic. English is taught in all the schools. There are foreigners of all nationalities in Cairo and Alexandria, and much French is spoken; but the greatest number of foreigners are Greeks and Italians. The number of Greeks in Egypt is 60,000, and of Italians nearly 40,000. Next in number are the British, with over 20,000; then French, 14,000; Austrian, 7,500; German, 2,500; with many smaller representations of other nations. With the foreigners, the number of Christians in Egypt is nearly 1,000,000.

There are over 10,000,000 Mohammedans,— an immense number when we think of our small force of workers, and of the fact that it takes a missionary at least two years to learn the language sufficiently well to begin to work for the Arabic people. We need the outpouring of the Spirit to accomplish the work of carrying the message of the Lord's soon coming to all Egypt. But that blessed gift will come, and the work will be accomplished. In this confidence we joyfully labor on, sowing the seed, and leaving the results to the Lord of the harvest.

GEORGE KEOUGH.

Cairo.