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Freedom of Belief and Citizenship Bulletin

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November 2024

The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms (ECRF) is pleased to launch its special bulletin on “Freedom of Belief and Citizenship,” dedicated to addressing the concerns and challenges faced by minorities. This initiative aims to foster a culture of tolerance, counter violence and hate speech, and promote the principles of citizenship. The bulletin sheds light on the most significant developments and violations related to freedom of belief and citizenship during November 2024.

The term “minorities,” as defined internationally, refers to groups or individuals who constitute a numerical, social, or cultural minority within a given society. These minorities are diverse and multifaceted, defined by factors such as race, nationality, religion, language, gender, sexual orientation, or cultural identity.

The ECRF believes that respecting minority rights contributes to social cohesion and protects these groups from marginalization and exclusion.

The United Nations has addressed hate speech on a global scale, defining it as “any kind of communication, whether oral, written, or behavioral, that attacks or uses pejorative or discriminatory language referring to a person or group based on their identity. In other words, this includes aspects such as religion, ethnicity, nationality, race, color, descent, gender, or other identity-defining factors.”

Egypt’s Constitution, in Article 53, criminalizes incitement to hatred and states that “Citizens are equal before the law. They are equal in rights, freedoms, and public duties, without discrimination based on religion, belief, gender, origin, race, color, language, disability, social status, political or geographic affiliation, or any other reason. Discrimination and incitement to hatred are crimes punishable by law. The state is committed to taking necessary measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination, and the law regulates the establishment of an independent commission for this purpose.”

Despite this constitutional mandate requiring the House of Representatives to establish a commission to prevent discrimination and penalize individuals or officials involved in discriminatory acts, the necessary legislation for forming this commission has yet to be issued, nor has any public discussion on its formation been initiated.

Below are the key developments and violations observed in the “Freedom of Belief and Citizenship” dossier during November 2024:

Freedom of Belief and Citizenship News:

During his interview with journalist Hamdi Rizk on the “Nazra” program on Sada El-Balad TV, he extended his gratitude to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Dr. Ahmed El-Tayeb, former Grand Mufti Dr. Shawki Allam, and both former and current Ministers of Awqaf, Dr. Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa and Dr. Osama El-Azhari, for their efforts in advancing enlightened religious discourse.
He pointed out that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has emphasized freedom of worship, highlighting the Egyptian state’s high-level performance in addressing sectarian crises, evident in the construction of churches in new cities and rehabilitation centers.
He also noted that Western perceptions of Egypt have shifted positively regarding its treatment of Christian communities.
Rev. Zaki revealed that there are approximately 1,500 churches of the Evangelical denomination in Egypt, and in 2018, the church submitted requests to legalize its buildings. As of now, 50% of the 1,070 churches have been legalized, and the process is expected to be completed by 2030.
He added that church inaugurations witness a significant presence of Muslim brothers, along with moral and financial support.

He further explained that the Egyptian Family House aims to bridge differences, strengthen relationships between sheikhs and priests, and build bridges of love between Muslims and Christians while promoting a culture of citizenship.
Anba Ermia affirmed that Egypt continually proves that its Muslim and Christian citizens live in genuine brotherhood within a safe society free from racism and sectarianism, bound by a solid national unity.
He highlighted that Egypt is the first country in history to embrace unity, rooted in the teachings of religions that advocate relationships of love and kindness among all people, urging justice and goodwill.
He also described Egypt as a sanctuary for prophets throughout history, blessed by God, as mentioned in the Bible: “Blessed be Egypt my people” and in the Quran: “Enter Egypt in safety, if Allah wills.” Egypt has welcomed all divine religions.
Anba Ermia stressed Egypt’s unique identity, teaching the world the love of homeland, citing historian Henry Breasted, who described ancient Egyptians as great in their patriotism. He also quoted the late Pope Shenouda III: “Egypt is not a country we live in; it is a country that lives in us.”

It is worth mentioning that Dr. Ali El-Samman was a pioneer in Christian-Muslim dialogue, organizing the first meeting of religious leaders from the three Abrahamic religions in Paris in 1994. This meeting paved the way for dialogue agreements between Al-Azhar and the Vatican, as well as with the Anglican Church worldwide.
Dr. El-Samman’s efforts significantly contributed to fostering peace and understanding among followers of the three religions. One of the most notable outcomes of these efforts is the Document on Human Fraternity, signed in 2019 by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The award is scheduled to be presented in his honor on January 30, 2025, in Cairo, coinciding with the anniversary of the cooperation agreement between Al-Azhar and the Anglican Church. The aim is to encourage and inspire individuals and organizations to build upon Dr. Ali El-Samman’s significant contributions to interfaith and intercultural dialogue and to foster mutual understanding.

The Christian-Muslim Center for Understanding and Partnership was established in June 2022 within the Episcopal Diocese in Egypt. The center aims to serve Egyptian society by promoting peace, understanding, and interfaith collaboration through academic programs, community initiatives, and peacebuilding and conflict resolution projects.

Discussions on Freedom of Belief and the Civil State:

Ismail emphasized that every citizen has the right to a fair legal framework that upholds family dignity and prevents families from becoming a source of suffering and hardship.
During a roundtable discussion organized by the “Access to Justice” program, addressing the book “The Essentials of Personal Status for Orthodox Christians” by lawyer Nabil Gabriel, Ismail noted the urgent need for a new personal status law that achieves justice and equality for all family members, whether Muslim or Christian.
The discussion, moderated by lawyer Azza Suleiman, included contributions from Ishak Ibrahim, Equality and Anti-Discrimination Program Manager at the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, as well as the book’s author.

She pointed out that neglecting, avoiding, or delaying the regulation of such significant issues is no longer acceptable. Following the 2008 amendments, divorce for Christians has been restricted to only two reasons: adultery and conversion to another religion, which has led to substantial complications and immense unhappiness for thousands of families.

“Why does a law meant to solve the miseries of children and the agonies of mothers and fathers remain shrouded in secrecy and neglect?” Ismail questioned.

She further noted that while the Church sought to preserve Christian Egyptian families by setting conditions and procedures for divorce, these regulations have, in many cases, led to family disintegration and marital problems. These issues often result in crimes, abandoned children, or marriages effectively suspended, among other consequences. Such a situation demands urgent action to amend the law to achieve the original goal of preserving family unity and the happiness of its members.

She explained that lawyer Nabil Gabriel, the book’s author, identified relevant constitutional articles for regulating personal status for Orthodox Christians, including Article 53 on equality among citizens and articles related to freedom of belief.

Ismail pointed to the author’s conclusion in the first chapter that Islamic Sharia law does not oversee personal status laws for Christians. This critical finding provides a legal basis to remove the unreasonable imposition of Islamic Sharia principles on personal matters for Christians, which often benefits neither the Christian community nor the purpose of the legislation.

She concluded by recalling efforts at the end of 2011 to shift ideas from mere protest to policymaking, with the slogan, “We made a revolution; we deserve happiness and justice.”

She added:

“During the first elections held after the revolution in November 2011, a young Christian woman approached me, asking, ‘How can we live happily and feel justice while facing daily torment and distress due to personal status laws? How can we overcome the crises we endure?’ Back then, we imagined that this issue could be resolved with the convening of the first Parliament after the revolution. However, it did not happen, and the issue remains unresolved even now, more than 14 years after these amendments were introduced.”

She continued:

“It is time to eliminate the barriers that complicate people’s lives and prevent them from living peacefully. These barriers expose many families to crises and miserable lives. Among the laws urgently needed is the personal status law for Christians, which we are discussing today. At the Dostour Party, and as a civil party, we see it as a just demand for every citizen to have a legal framework that enables them to live in peace and love in their homes. This includes ensuring equality in inheritance for Christians, allowing divorce for reasons beyond adultery or conversion, and addressing the challenges within these laws.”

Ambassador Mahmoud Karem, Vice President of the National Council for Human Rights, stated that the role of human rights bodies is to provide alternatives, offer advice, and participate in drafting laws and presenting issues that deserve legal examination by the state for discussion.

He noted that the council was the first to propose the idea of establishing a commission to prevent discrimination, which was subsequently included in the Constitution. The council also adopted a plan to combat hate speech, provided input on the draft criminal procedure law, and proposed alternatives to pretrial detention.

This was highlighted during a session held by the Supreme Media Council with the chair and members of the National Council for Human Rights regarding human rights issues.

Karem said:

“We are working under entirely different circumstances. There are some positive changes, such as the President’s announcement of the National Human Rights Strategy in 2021, the developments achieved in rehabilitation centers, and the significant advancements in some prisons that are over 120 years old.”

He pointed out that Egypt had not participated in the treaty-based committee for civil and political rights for 19 years. However, there is now engagement with this committee, with ministers presenting reports, comments, and discussing related issues. This reflects progress in the human rights file in Egypt.

Under the Microscope:

Reverend Dr. Andrea Zaki, President of the Evangelical Community in Egypt, stated that 90% of the articles in the personal status law for Copts had been agreed upon by the three main churches. However, disagreements persisted over key issues such as divorce, inheritance, and grounds for annulment of marriage.

In televised remarks, Dr. Zaki noted that the personal status law for Copts was ready for parliamentary discussion and is expected to be addressed after the conclusion of discussions on the personal status law for Muslims.

He highlighted objections from some parties regarding certain provisions in the law, particularly concerning divorce. He explained that the church views divorce as contradictory to the ideal nature of Christian marriage.

Dr. Zaki also emphasized the importance of adding a provision for adoption in the personal status law for Copts, stating:
“Adoption is one of the crucial issues for us as Christians, and I hope the parliament will adopt and approve this idea.”

On the topic of atheism, he mentioned that the church is paying close attention to this phenomenon, having published a series of books addressing it and organizing awareness conferences and discussions with atheists to foster dialogue.

Regarding homosexuality, Dr. Zaki clarified that the church does not endorse homosexuality but keeps its doors open for individuals to return and repent, emphasizing:
“We are against homosexuality, not against the individuals themselves. Everyone is welcome to repent.”

MP Fakhry El-Fekki, Chair of the Planning and Budget Committee in the House of Representatives, revealed during a general session that Egypt’s 9 million “guests,” whether refugees or displaced persons, have benefited from more than 300 billion Egyptian pounds (equivalent to $6 billion annually) in public services funded by the state budget. These services include security, justice, healthcare, education, and social protection programs.

During the discussion on the Refugee Law, El-Fekki stated that according to available statistics, the number of refugees in Egypt amounts to 9 million, accounting for approximately 8% of Egypt’s population.

He added:

“A simple calculation shows that these individuals benefit from state budget services valued at more than 300 billion Egyptian pounds annually, equivalent to $6 billion, based on the current exchange rate.”

Violence Based on Belief and Hate Speech:

An attack using bladed weapons targeted a Coptic family by a group of young men from Ashrouba Village in Beni Mazar, Minya Governorate. The assault resulted in severe injuries:

According to Watani, a local news outlet, a Coptic villager reported that tensions have been simmering in the village for some time. Minor daily disputes frequently escalate into crises. The assault was allegedly sparked by a dispute two days earlier between a Coptic villager and another individual over purchasing religious supplies.

On the day of the attack, the victim was assaulted and injured while walking in the village. He sought help at a local pharmacy, but four individuals armed with swords stormed the pharmacy—an act caught on video—and attacked those inside, injuring Amir Narouz, Abanoub Narouz, and Hanna Magdy Milad Shahat. The victims were transferred to Minya University Hospital, with one in critical condition.

Community Impact and Concerns:

The incident has heightened fear and tension among Coptic residents, especially for their children’s safety at schools located far from their homes. The village is divided into two areas, one predominantly Coptic.

Last year, during a reconciliation session following a similar dispute, the Copts requested essential services in their area, such as a bakery and a school, to reduce friction and harassment. Despite presenting proposals, none were implemented. A small police presence remains in the village since the previous year’s events.

Coptic residents have called for:

  1. Long-term solutions to address underlying tensions.
  2. Promoting love, tolerance, and acceptance of others to prevent harassment and reduce communal tension.
  3. Legal enforcement to hold perpetrators accountable without resorting to reconciliation sessions or pressuring Copts to accept settlements.

Past Events:

In January 2023, a dispute in Ashrouba escalated into violence, injuring individuals from both sides. The perpetrators were arrested and referred for prosecution. However, an arbitration committee imposed a fine of 500,000 EGP on the Copts and required them to drop charges against the attackers. The committee also imposed a penalty of 1,000,000 EGP for any party refusing to withdraw their complaints, initiating further violence, or posting against the arbitration decision on social media.

Prominent thinker and physician Khaled Montasser expressed frustration over what he described as “hysteria” surrounding the refusal to pray for deceased Christians.

On Facebook, Montasser wrote:

“Why is there an uproar whenever someone says ‘God have mercy’ for a deceased Christian? Your neighbor reacts as if bitten by a snake, veins bulging, and scolds you for praying for someone outside your faith. Will saying ‘God have mercy’ paralyze you like Hussein Riad in Back Again? Or will it give you scurvy? Why can’t we live without this hatred?”

He cited an example of a young Christian girl, Nourhan Anton, who tragically died after being hit by a train at Kafr El-Dawar station. In a local mothers’ group, heated debates arose condemning Muslim members who offered prayers for her soul. Montasser noted the backlash included religious sermons and warnings of eternal damnation for those who expressed sympathy.

He concluded:

“Why has religiosity become associated with cruelty, harshness, insensitivity, and a lack of humanity? Why are we consumed with trivialities and pettiness while the idea of a united homeland evaporates?”

On November 14, 2024, a follower of Egyptian businessman Naguib Sawiris sparked widespread controversy on the platform X (formerly Twitter) by openly inviting Sawiris to convert to Islam. The invitation came in a tweet with provocative words, saying: “I’m still not married, but I’m happier for you, Engineer Sawiris, as you go to Al-Azhar to announce your conversion to Islam and say the shahada than I am for my bride. Let’s drink some sherbet, shall we? Or are you not planning on it, Engineer?”

Sawiris responded swiftly and firmly to the tweet with a strong and clear reply. He said, “God is one for all, and a person is born into their religion; they don’t choose it. If your Lord had wished, He could have made all religions the same. I am Muslim, always submit to God, and I am content with my faith.”

Issues and Investigations:

Legal advisor Mohamed Osama Mansour had filed a complaint to the Public Prosecutor against lawyer Hani Samah. The complaint called for investigations into his promotion of the idea of “cohabitation” during his appearance on a program aired on Al-Shams TV. The complaint, numbered 903182 in the Public Prosecutor’s office, stated that they were shocked by a video circulating of Dr. Hani Samah, in which he openly advocated for adultery by legitimizing it through cohabitation. The complaint argued that such a behavior was foreign and unacceptable within Egyptian society and the broader Arab and Islamic communities. It added that this was a clear incitement to immorality, urging authorities to take legal measures to protect the Egyptian society.

Earlier, lawyer Ashraf Farhat had filed a lawsuit against Hani Samah following his appearance on the program where he claimed to support the “cohabitation” system before marriage, which sparked widespread anger against him. The head of the Lawyers Syndicate, Abdel Halim Allam, had also decided to refer Samah for investigation, suspending him temporarily from practicing law.

The complaint stated that Sheikh Tarek El-Masri had appeared in several videos on social media, encouraging sectarianism and promoting the Shia ideology, which was said to foster intolerance and support beliefs that threaten public peace. The complaint indicated that El-Masri used religious occasions to spread his views, participating in Shia celebrations that called for divisive beliefs.

Dr. Sabri further explained that El-Masri follows a method of promoting Shiaism, disseminating controversial sermons, even though some of his speeches have already been banned due to their dangerous implications for societal security.

In his complaint, Dr. Sabri requested that legal action be taken and the defendant be summoned for investigation, believing his actions posed a serious threat to social stability.

“The Administrative Court has triumphed for Islam and for me in lawsuit number 85645 of year 78, which I filed against the following: Minister of Culture, Head of the Central Administration for Film Censorship, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Culture, Ibrahim Eissa (the film’s writer), Ahmed El-Sobky (the film’s producer), and Mohamed Adel (the film’s director).”

He continued: “Today, the report of the Commissioners’ Committee in the above-mentioned case, filed by Mortada Mansour, was issued. The report calls for the cancellation of the film’s screening license and the prevention of its exhibition in all theaters in Egypt and abroad, as well as on any platforms.”

Mansour added: “The Commissioners’ Report, prepared by Judge Mohamed Gamal Youssef and supervised by Deputy Council President Mahmoud Abdullah Amer, concluded that my lawsuit is valid and that the license for the film The Atheist should be revoked as the film insults the noble Islamic religion.”

He also mentioned: “Thank God, this is my third victory after my success in destroying the Bahá’ís in the State Council, which Amr Adib had defended and promoted on his Cairo Today program on Orbit TV by regularly hosting them to advocate for their beliefs. Furthermore, I filed a lawsuit against the Takuin Atheists and forced their lawyer in court to admit that the state had no knowledge of this dubious organization.”

The appeal, case number 31206 of year 70, is directed against the Evangelical Church leader.

It is worth noting that the Administrative Court had previously ruled against Naseem’s case, prompting him to file this appeal with the Supreme Administrative Court.

The Diocese explained that the church was established in 1936 by the Franciscan monks, later handed over to the Jesuit Fathers, and finally to the Coptic Catholic Diocese of Thebes in 2020.

The statement continued: On Wednesday, November 13, a Christian man named Gamal Youssef Naseef, who holds the position of chairman of a charity in the village, along with a group of individuals, took part in cutting the electricity to the church, breaking its entrance door, and looting its contents. They then proceeded to demolish a concrete wall next to the church using heavy machinery, which led to the complete destruction of the church.

Neighbors immediately informed the Diocese, prompting the Deputy Priest of the Diocese and the parish priest to visit the scene. They discovered that the perpetrators had completed their act, and the incident was reported to the authorities. Investigations are ongoing, and the Deputy Priest filed a police report.

The Diocese also noted that the perpetrators carefully chose the timing of the attack, as it coincided with the St. George El-Zurayqi Festival in Arment, a period of intense security activity in Luxor.

The Diocese vowed to continue seeking justice and plans to rebuild the church. It also announced that the individual responsible for the attack would be excommunicated from the Catholic Church worldwide, and all relevant authorities, both domestic and international, that may be funding the actions will be notified.

The Public Prosecution referred the suspects for trial after it was found that they had murdered Mena Moussa with premeditation and intent to demand ransom from his family.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects lured Mena Moussa by posting a fake advertisement offering a lucrative job in nursing. They used the false promise of a high salary to entice him, planning to extort money from his family in exchange for his release.

Reports on Freedom of Belief and Citizenship:

The report from the State Commissioners Authority, issued in Case No. 85645 of the 78th Judicial Year, urged the Administrative Court to rule in favor of revoking the decision of the Censorship Authority to allow the film’s public release. The report stated that the film contains atheistic ideas and criticism of divine religions, violating Article 8 of the executive regulations for censorship of audio and audiovisual works.

Article 8 of these regulations requires that censorship authorities ensure that any work does not contain material that undermines the religious, spiritual, moral values of society, or public order. Specifically, it prohibits works that promote atheism, mock religious beliefs, encourage vice or drug use, present explicit sexual content, or glorify criminal behavior.

The report also referenced a previous legal fatwa issued by the General Assembly of the Fatwa and Legislation Division, which emphasized that Al-Azhar holds authority over matters relating to Islamic affairs, and its opinion on such matters must be binding on the Ministry of Culture, especially when issuing decisions regarding Islamic-themed works.

According to the report, the plot of The Atheist revolves around a young man from a Muslim family who publicly renounces his faith, leading his father to attempt to implement the death penalty for apostasy by offering the son three days to recant, or he will be killed. Since the film directly deals with Islamic themes, the report asserts that Al-Azhar’s opinion should have been sought before the film was authorized for release.

The report concluded that neither the Censorship Authority nor the production company had presented evidence of obtaining Al-Azhar’s approval before granting the public screening permit, therefore the permit should be revoked.

The film features actors Ahmed Hatem, Mahmoud Hamida, Hussein Fahmy, and Sherine Reda, with a screenplay by Ibrahim Issa, direction by Mohamed Adel, and production by Ahmed El-Sobky.

The report from the State Commissioners Authority emphasized that freedom of artistic and literary creation, as guaranteed by the constitution, is not absolute and must be limited by the protection of public morals, public order, and the state’s higher interests, as well as the protection of the fundamental societal values defined by the constitution, including religious, moral, and social values.

In response, Ahmed El-Sobky, the film’s producer, stated that the Commissioners’ Committee had not seen the film, questioning the basis of their decision. He further claimed that the lawsuit filed by Mortada Mansour was merely an attempt to create media hype at the expense of the film.

Events in November:

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