Charges for Religious Insults

Ismailia, Egypt
Ismailia, Egypt
Photo: Wikipedia / Balou46 (cc)

A young Christian was arrested on November 11th after Facebook comments allegedly insulting Islam came to light. The comments had been made in the midst of a heated online exchange and, in the process, were widely shared by others.

Youssef Hany, who is 18 years old, could face up to five years in prison. On November 14th, a court in Ismailia ordered his release on bail after he apologized and stressed that he respected Islam. An unnamed Muslim woman was also arrested as a result of the online exchange for allegedly insulting Christianity. Media attention, however, has centred on Youssef.

In response to his case, a spokesperson for the Coptic Orthodox Church has publicly rejected any religious insults. Offending all religions is completely unacceptable, the spokesman stated, since it causes disunity among people and in society as a whole. For more on the challenges encountered by Christians in Egypt, go to our country report.

Pray for equity and justice to prevail among the judiciary as this case proceeds. May they respectfully uphold the fundamental freedoms of belief and speech for all citizens. Pray that Youssef's testimony and sincere apology will serve as stepping-stones toward greater tolerance and understanding between the country's Christian and Muslim communities. May God's people be granted wisdom and favour as they passionately share the Gospel and seek to live in harmony with all (Romans 12:18), mindful to clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12). Finally, ask our Heavenly Father, who is the God of reconciliation, to reign with His peace over this divided nation.

  • 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.

Egypt News

  • Christian Homes and Businesses Burned
    A water truck is working to douse a fire.
      

    Late into the evening of April 23rd, Islamic militants set fire to several homes and shops owned by Coptic Orthodox Christians in the village of Al-Fawakher, which is located in Egypt's southern Minya province. Although the attackers attempted to prevent the occupants from leaving their burning homes, thankfully there were no reported fatalities.

  • Temporary Church Building Burned
    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

    Local Christians in the village of Misha'at Zaafaranah, located within Egypt's Minya Province, are working to get approval to build a place of worship. The required documents have been submitted to the authorities and, for the meantime, the group of believers were meeting in a temporary structure on the land belonging to the church.

  • Attack on Church Building Site
    Multiple crosses sit atop of a church roof.
    A Coptic church in Egypt.
    Photo: Flickr / Mark Fischer (cc)

    Since 2016, the government of Egypt has been slowly approving the registration of more than 3,700 church buildings that were operating without the required licencing. These buildings were established before 2016, during a time when permits were virtually impossible to get. Although the licencing process now being administered has been long and tedious, thankfully progress is eventually taking place.

  • An Additional 216 Church Buildings Legalized
    Saint Mark Church in Helipolis
    A church in Egypt.
    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.