The Orphan Scandal: Christian Missionaries and the Rise of the Muslim Brotherhood - Hardcover

"Beth Baron has written a remarkable book . . . Engaging with a broad array of multilingual sources, Baron crafts a truly transnational narrative about the missionary encounter in semi-colonial Egypt." -- Barbara Reeves-Ellington * Social Sciences and Missions * "Baron deftly examines the convoluted legal and political maneuvers during this incident, as well as the varied methods by which Turkiyya, her missionary opponents, and other Egyptians raised and constructed ideas of gender . . . [T]his is a great read . . . Summing Up: Highly Recommended." -- J. M. Rich * CHOICE * "[T]he discussion is scholarly and tries to give voice to all parties, specific examples and narrative help humanize the issues, thus making them approachable both intellectually and emotionally. Impressively researched and very readable." -- Muhammed Hassanali * Booklist * "Beth Baron tells a dramatic story about Western missionary fantasies to convert the Middle East and about a variety of Muslim Egyptian responses to these missionary fantasies. She charts the major unintended consequence of this missionary project, namely the emergence of the Muslim Brotherhood movement and the rise of the Muslim welfare state in Egypt. Beautifully narrated, and drawing on both Arabic and English-language sources, Baron humanizes all sides of the missionary encounter in Egypt. This is an important book." -- Ussama Makdisi * Rice University * "Transnational history at its best, The Orphan Scandal exemplifies the powerful stories that emerge as missionary sources are skillfully woven together with host culture sources. A compelling history of the relationship between missionaries and the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in twentieth-century Egypt." -- Kathryn Kish Sklar * SUNY Binghamton * "A brilliant book essential for today's audiences. Beth Baron has identified a powerful incident that galvanized the Muslim Brotherhood and fundamentally altered the place of Western missionaries and officials in Egypt." -- Robert L. Tignor * Princeton University *

Following the story of the Port Said orphan scandal, this book uncovers hidden links between Protestant evangelicals and the growth of Islamist groups in Egypt.