A federal agency tasked with examining global religious freedom released a new report on Monday showing that persecution against Christians in Egypt is rising.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said in astatementaccompanying the newreportthat the government of Egypt is known to repress non-Muslim religions, and that such repression has increased in recent years.
“The government of Egypt continues to systematically enforce laws, policies, and judicial decisions that repress non-Muslim religious life,” the statement said.
The agency recommended that Egypt be added to a “Special Watch List” maintained by the U.S. government for their violations.
While 90 percent of Egypt’s 115 million residents are Sunni Muslims, there are minority communities of Coptic Christians, evangelical Protestants, Jews, Baha’is, and Jehovah’s Witnesses.
“Egypt’s government has responded to various pressures by prioritizing internal control and stability, amounting to an expanded reliance on restrictive laws, surveillance, and enforcement practices,” the report noted.
While Christianity is recognized as a legal religion in Egypt, the country’s penal code is often enforced against Christians who are purported to have blasphemed Islam.
Augustin Samaan was sentenced to five years of prison in January for “contempt of religion” after he posted religious educational content and responded to “anti-Christian incitement online.”
Said Abdelrazek, a convert to Christianity, was likewise accused of “contempt for Islam” after posting his beliefs online.
He was detained and reportedly tortured in prison.
Source: VidNews » Feed
