Photo: Flickr / Andrew A. Shenouda (cc)
Seven years ago, the Egyptian government formed a committee to work through applications to legalize unlicensed church buildings. When the committee was first formed, there were 3,730 outstanding applications. Though the process has been exceedingly slow, thankfully that number has been gradually decreasing. To review previously posted reports on this situation, go to our country report.
In the most recent announcement, an additional 216 Christian church buildings were approved on May 15th. This brings the total number of approvals since the committee was formed to 2,815. The committee, which is chaired by the Prime Minister, includes six other government ministers, along with representatives from various Christian groups.
While we can give thanks to God that the legal obstacles have now been removed from these recently approved churches, please continue to pray that the remaining applications would be dealt with in an expeditious manner. As a result, may the ongoing ministry of God's Word reach many in search of spiritual truth throughout Egypt, so that true religious freedom and equality will be enjoyed by the citizens of this northeast African nation.
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