Egypt (MNN) — Good news out of Egypt: 191 more churches have received legal status.
Many Christian leaders had waited years for state approval. The decision comes under Egypt’s 2016 Law for Building and Restoring Churches. It marks the 30th group of churches approved by the legalization committee. To qualify, churches must meet structural and safety standards, prove land ownership, and pay required fees.
The Hanging Church, Cairo, Egypt (photo courtesy of Dilip Poddar via Unsplash)
Duane Friesen with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says, “There is dramatic difficulty for the Christian community within Egypt, but to see a step toward allowing facilities for their weekly worship is a good step, and I hope it grows.”
Still, the approvals meet only a small part of the need. Tens of thousands of churches are still seeking legal recognition.
Friesen notes that, “[Believers] still face the reality that they are a minority in a country that has long struggled to support the existence of other religious groups around them.”
“They’ve had, even recently, major challenges as families try to prevent their daughters from being forced into Muslim marriages.” Friesen also adds that if a man’s Christian beliefs become known, he may struggle to find work to provide for his family.
So, the approval of another batch of churches could be a positive sign for greater Christian recognition and freedom in the country.
At the same time, Friesen urges caution. As pressure for church registration grows, so can government oversight of Christian activity. Still, the process may also help strengthen Christianity’s legal standing in Egypt.
Please pray these developments would lead to greater acceptance and security for believers in Egypt and, as Friesen says, “that is equal citizenship within Egypt that they have the protections, the rights and the freedoms to be what God’s called them to be.”
Visit Voice of the Martyrs Canada to learn more about the challenges facing persecuted Christians around the world.
Header photo: Cairo, Egypt (Photo courtesy of PhotoByMau via Pexels).
