Article By Ryan Foley
A new report is raising fresh concerns about religious freedom in Egypt, warning that Christians and other religious minorities continue to face systemic discrimination despite signs of progress.
The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released a report Monday detailing what it described as ongoing repression of non-Muslim communities.
In a statement accompanying the report, the nonpartisan agency stated that “the government of Egypt continues to systematically enforce laws, policies, and judicial decisions that repress non-Muslim religious life, including for Baha’is, Coptic Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Jews, Qur’anists, members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, and also non-believers.”
“Amid these ongoing [freedom of religion and belief] concerns, Egypt’s government continues to support initiatives that selectively promote religious diversity and tolerance. While this reflects some progress, the Egyptian government has yet to bring the country into full compliance with its FoRB obligations under international law,” USCIRF added.
The report paints a troubling picture for religious minorities in Egypt, where more than 90% of the population is Sunni Muslim. Critics say laws — particularly blasphemy statutes — are frequently used to target those who hold minority beliefs.
One such case involves Christian convert Said Abdelrazek, who was charged in July 2025 with “contempt for Islam” after sharing his faith online. During pretrial detention, he reportedly suffered repeated beatings by National Security agents and was denied access to worship materials and a Bible.
The report also highlights what it describes as unequal treatment in the construction of houses of worship. While more than 2,000 requests to build churches and Christian facilities remain pending, approvals for mosques have moved far more quickly. “In the past year alone, approximately 926 mosques were created or maintained,” the report stated.
Tensions have at times turned violent.
In February, clashes between Egyptian security forces and Coptic Christians residing in the Helwan Diocese broke out over “government efforts to demolish a fence around land intended for a new church and community worship site.”
According to the report, “Officials claimed the demolition was justified because the construction lacked proper permits, while local Copts questioned authorities for not objecting earlier during months of building activity and after the community had invested time, money, and resources into the site.”
The security forces used tear gas to disperse protesters and detained several individuals before demolishing both the fence and a temporary wooden prayer structure at the site. Security forces ultimately used bulldozers to demolish both the fence and a temporary wooden prayer structure at the site.
The report also raises concerns about the disappearance of Coptic Christian women and what it describes as a lack of meaningful investigation by authorities. USCIRF said this reflects a broader failure to provide “equal protection under the law on account of their gender and religious identity.”
Among the cases cited is that of Silvana Atef, identified as “a young Coptic woman diagnosed with a mental disorder being forcibly held by a man.” Although her family reported her missing in October 2025, an Egyptian court ruled in January that it lacked jurisdiction. Her family alleges “significant insufficiencies in local authorities’ response,” including a failure to investigate the alleged abduction.
Additional concerns laid out in the report involve Egypt’s treatment of non-believers. USCIRF documented the arrests of at least 29 individuals between July 2025 and January of this year, tied to social media activity involving atheism or criticism of majority religious beliefs. Authorities reportedly seized laptops and mobile phones without warrants.
As of February, only five of these individuals have been released, while 23 remain in pretrial detention, and one has died in custody. The nonbelievers have been charged with “joining a group established in violation of the provisions of the Constitution and the law” and “publicly insulting a religion whose rituals are practiced publicly,” facing the possibility of up to five years in prison if convicted.
Despite the concerns, the report also highlights limited signs of progress.
The most significant development was the establishment of paid religious leave on Easter for Christian employees who work in the private sector. “Prior to this decision, Christians in Egypt have often been forced to choose between observing Easter and fulfilling work, academic, or civic obligations,” the report noted.
The report concluded by highlighting how, in its Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. State Department place Egypt on its Special Watch List. The Special Watch List is reserved for countries that engage in or tolerate “severe” violations of religious freedom but do not meet the criteria for “particularly severe” violations that justify placement on the Countries of Particular Concern List designated for the world’s worst violators of religious freedom.
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