Published on April 8, 2024, 12:30 am

Image source: Fox News

Religious freedom is a right that should be enjoyed by every individual, yet for Christian converts in Egypt, this crucial aspect of human rights often seems elusive. In a recent revealing interview with Global Christian Relief (GCR), a prominent organization supporting persecuted Christians worldwide, an Egyptian lawyer, code-named Mussa for security reasons, shared his journey from being born and raised in a Muslim family to embracing Christianity. This real news piece provides an in-depth look at the challenges faced by individuals who embrace the Christian faith amidst the prevalent Islamic belief system.

Raised amidst Christian friends who piqued his curiosity about their faith, Mussa embarked on his spiritual journey by reading the Bible and asking God to reveal His truth to him. Eventually, he accepted Christianity as his newfound faith and shared the gospel with his wife who also became a believer. However, externally they are still perceived as Muslims because public acknowledgement of their chosen faith could present perilous consequences.

The professional cautioned that both societal and state factors contribute to the difficulties confronted by converts from Islam in Egypt. These people bear societal rejection for choosing a belief deemed contrary to Islam; they are branded as apostates and infidels thus endangering their lives. Even though Egypt’s Constitution guarantees freedom of belief (Articles 40-46), practically applying it remains challenging.

What’s more alarming is that converts can be charged with defaming religion without formally renouncing Islam. Their conversion results in them being treated as criminals rather than exercising their fundamental human right to personal faith – which if not respected – ushers into a reality where many face job losses or even death threats.

Unfortunately, this restriction isn’t limited only to adult converts; but extends its problematic tentacles towards offspring of those aware of their parents’ conversion too. Raised as Christians at home while taught Islamic doctrines at school presents them with contradictory identities leading to psychological depression.

Even marriage becomes prohibitive for converts wanting unions within Christian families, while societal impediments make meeting other believers difficult. One poignant example of this was the incarceration of a priest who performed marriage rituals for a Muslim-registered Christian convert and a Christian.

Preaching Christianity is still considered taboo despite Egypt signing international human rights conventions allowing freedom of belief and the right to proselytize. Stories of young Christian men arrested and charged with proselytizing – including one case ending in death – are worryingly frequent, even as organizations actively promote Islam at government level.

Despite these grim realities, Mussa believes that resolution lies in proper constitutional implementation, teaching acceptance from an early age and perceiving religion as personal freedom: elements deeply resonant with the principles viewed through a pure Christian worldview. GCR continues its vigilant work to uphold these values by equipping Western churches for robust advocacy and supporting those affected by faith-based discrimination on the world stage.

Trustworthy news about such instances serves as the beacon needed by everyone to embrace humanity’s heart – mutual respect, peace, and acceptance for all regardless of their chosen path to spirituality.