Egypt could also be cracking down on non-sanctioned religious groups

Religious liberty group Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has raised concerns that Egypt is carrying out a crackdown on those that don’t follow the bulk religion within the country.

Since 13 September, 14 people have been arrested and accused of “joining an illegal group” and “contempt of faith”.

The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) claims that the primary arrested within the apparent crackdown was the YouTuber Zakarya Abdulrahman, aka the “Mufti of Humanity”.

Abdulrahman’s lawyer and family were unaware of his location until 10 days after his arrest, when he appeared before the state prosecution.

Numerous individuals who took part in debates on his channel have also been arrested, although their case has been classified as a part of “national security”. 

This 12 months the EIPR has said that 39 members of unrecognised religions have been arrested up to now this 12 months. Seventeen were a part of a gaggle called the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light, and considered one of them, a Syrian, was deported.

Earlier this 12 months, Lizzie Francis Brink, legal counsel for global religious freedom at ADF International, said that almost all anti-Christian persecution comes from the local population, fairly than directly from the state.

She said, “Among the persecuted are Egypt’s Christians, who live in a land of ancient wonders and wealthy history—yet face day by day discrimination, harsh restrictions, and constant pressure to cover their faith.”

The EIPR has noted that the Egyptian structure guarantees freedom of belief, but noted that in practice this doesn’t protect those from unrecognised religious communities.

Scot Bower, CEO of CSW, said, “CSW is deeply concerned by this latest crackdown on the freedoms of faith or belief and expression.

“We urge the Egyptian authorities to release those that are currently in custody, and echo the EIPR in calling on the federal government to remove all legal and constitutional obstacles stopping unrecognised religious and belief groups from fully having fun with the constitutionally articulated right to practice religious rituals and establish places of worship as equal residents before the law.”