Egypt (MNN) — A recent report from the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) says religious freedom conditions in Egypt remain poor.
Reported abuses range from arrests over online posts and private messages to long delays in church registration, along with weak police and court responses to attacks on Christians.
David Bogosian with the Alliance for the Unreached says the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is calling for the U.S. to increase scrutiny. “The recommendation [by USCIRF] is that Egypt be made a country on our Watch List,” he says. A U.S. Special Watch List designation would heighten State Department attention and could increase diplomatic pressure on Egyptian authorities.
There is also growing influence from Islamic clergy. That influence is often associated with Al-Azhar, a major center of Sunni Islamic authority based in Cairo, and with how blasphemy laws are interpreted and enforced.
St Simon the Tanner Monastery (Coptic), Cairo (Photo courtesy of Kerollos Atef AL- Mansy via Pexels)
Authorities can move quickly when they believe Islam is being criticized. This has increasingly included online activity.
“Anything that is viewed as disruptive, anything that might be negative of Islam, or put it in a bad light, they’re going to be prosecuted,” Bogosian says.
According to rights monitors, in recent months security forces have arrested dozens of people over social media posts expressing religious views that do not align with state-sanctioned beliefs, or for participating in online groups discussing atheism, agnosticism, or criticizing Islam.
Bogosian recalls a friend who was imprisoned and tortured for his faith in Egypt. After Christians around the world began writing letters to the prison, the man was released and later received asylum in the United States.
“So it does make a difference when we make our voices heard!” Bogosian says.
Even with pressure and persecution, Gospel work continues in Egypt — partly because the Coptic Church has endured hardship for centuries. “So Egypt is actually the epicenter for evangelism in the entire Middle East. This is very significant,” adds Bogosian.
Yet the need remains enormous: millions of Egyptians still haven’t heard about Jesus.
Pray Egyptian believers won’t give in to hate or fear. Pray the church will be strengthened and keep a powerful voice. Be part of Christ’s global rescue plan! Visit the Alliance for the Unreached to learn more.
Header photo: Five persons riding camels beside Pyramid of Egypt (Photo courtesy of Simon Berger via Unsplash).
