Update: Christian obtains conversion certificate


El-Gohary and his daughter
Photo from Compass Direct

Maher Ahmad El-Mo'otahssem Bellah El-Gohary (56), an Egyptian convert to Christianity from Islam who is fighting for legal recognition of his faith (click here to learn more), has received a certificate of conversion from Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church, according to an April 14 report from Compass Direct. On April 11, El-Gohary's lawyers submitted the certificate, which the court required as verification of his Christian faith. El-Gohary is the second Muslim-born convert to request that Christianity be reflected on his identification documents and the first to receive a conversion certificate from the Coptic Church. The final verdict in his case is expected on May 2. Please pray for El-Gohary and his daughter as they continue to receive death threats from Muslims angered by the case.

For more information on the opposition facing Christians in Egypt, click here.

  • Country Information

    Population
    109,546,720 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Egyptian (99.7), other (0.3)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (90), Christianity (10)

    Leader
    President Abdelfattah Said El-Sisi (2014)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system based on Napoleonic civil and penal law, Islamic religious law, and vestiges of colonial-era laws

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Egypt

    Pray on behalf of those who are facing economic and social challenges because of their Christian faith. Ask the Lord to provide for their spiritual and practical needs – further strengthening and emboldening them so they can effectively share the message of the Gospel with others in their communities. May the hearts of those who hear it be open and receptive to the wonderful truths contained in God’s Word.

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Egypt News

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    Abdulbaqi Saeed Abdo
    Photo: ADF International

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    Domes of a Coptic Church building in Egypt.
    Photo: Flickr / Andrew A. Shenouda (cc)

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    Two images of a room full of chairs. In the first, the chairs are neatly arranged. In the second, the chairs and interior of the building are burned.
    The temporary church building before and after the arson attack.
    Photo: Christian Solidarity Worldwide

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