[1][2][3] The role of this family began with the exodus of Elisha Haider Qatawi to Cairo in the late eighteenth century, where his son Jacob (1801–1883) obtained privileges from the government to carry out commercial and financial activities, and he was the first Egyptian Jew.

After his death, his son Moses Qatawi (1850–1924) succeeded him in 1883 as head of the sect,[4] and he was chosen as a member of the Egyptian Parliament, and he was also granted the title of Pasha.

He returned to Egypt to establish a sugar factory, and was chosen as a member of many advisory councils for industrial and financial institutions.

He married into the wealthy Jewish Sawaris family, and his wife was a maid of honor to Queen Nazli.

Joseph Alsan's second son, Rene, was chosen in 1943 as president of the Cairo Sephardic Leadership Council.

French writer Edmond Jabes became a member of the family through his marriage to Arlette Cohen, the granddaughter of Moses Qatawi.