The Prevalence of Magic, Charlatanism, Sorcery, and Superstition in Ottoman Egypt (1517 - 1805 AD) ) Insights from the Writings and Observations of Historians and Travelers (

Throughout its historical eras, Egypt has experienced numerous calamities and collapses, whether due to succumbing to the yoke of occupation at times, or its repeated exposure to natural disasters such as the spread of epidemics, earthquakes, and droughts. These adversities were often accompanied by a breakdown in the societal, health, and educational infrastructure, which paved the way for the emergence of various manifestations of belief in hidden forces, including charlatanism, sorcery, and the proliferation of magic, superstitions, and astrology, and even claims of prophecy, miracles, and sainthood on occasion, as a means to resolve or overcome obstacles and matters incomprehensible to the general populace. This had a negative impact on the scientific and social life in Egypt.