Social Exclusion and Contemporary Marginalisation: a Case of Egyptian Nubians

Every multi-ethnic state faces ethnic competition and ethnic marginalisation, with minorities often facing varying degrees of discrimination, and power repression. The study adopts the theory of marginalisation and combines historical discourse analysis to examine the marginalisation experienced by Nubians in Egypt. The study finds that the marginalisation suffered by Nubians in Egypt is mainly reflected in the political denial of Nubians’ right to return and inadequate political elections, the economic lack of access to basic services and labour market challenges, as well as the education inequality, and that the state of marginalisation of the Nubian community is still ongoing. The study suggests that in the context of the Egyptian government’s continued neglect of Nubians’ rights and needs, Nubians should create pluralistic Nubian civil social organisations, increase the participation of the Nubian groups in Egyptian society, and create a vibrant public space for the Nubians to reduce the increasing marginalisation.