Egypt's old, or traditional, middle class has…

Egypt's old, or traditional, middle class has also declined in status and wealth.

This middle class includes the ulama, religiously educated elite who staff the religious institutions and courts, and the merchants.

The ulama and the merchants are closely tied to each other because of family and business connections.

Furthermore, these categories overlap; the ulama are also merchants and tax-farmers.

The decline of the ulama had begun during the reign of Muhammad Ali, who considered the ulama an intolerable alternative power center.

He had abolished tax farms, which were a major source of ulama wealth, thus weakening their position.