Christians experience discrimination or harassment because they follow Jesus.
bottom“Faith in Jesus filled my heart with joy, peace, and hope. Jesus gave me the strength that I desperately needed, and I found hope again.”
– Sarah*, a convert from Islam
In Egypt, Christians often face discrimination in their communities. Christian women are harassed on the streets, especially in rural areas, and Christian children are bullied at school. Sometimes Muslim mobs force Christians to leave their homes after accusations of blasphemy. These incidents mostly happen in Upper Egypt, where radical Islamist groups are active. The Salafi al-Nour party, despite being a religious party, operates legally and exerts strong influence in poor, rural areas.
Egyptian President el-Sisi speaks positively about Christians and attempts to promote unity, but local authorities often fail to protect Christians from attacks. Building new churches is difficult in certain areas of Egypt, and Christians face hostility and violence from their communities.
In addition to their communities, Christians who convert from Islam can also face severe pressure from their families to return to the religion. Security services detain and intimidate converts, making it difficult to live openly as Christians.
Converts from Islam bear the brunt of persecution by their family, community, and security services. Christians who live in Upper Egypt, particularly in rural areas, also experience persecution and discrimination.
Church leaders are particularly vulnerable to rights violations. The harassment and, at times, killing of clergy have created feelings of fear and helplessness in the Christian community. Those who speak out against injustices are also targeted.
– Pray that Egyptian Christians who follow Jesus out of Islam will be kept safe.
– Ask God to help Christians who have converted from Islam find fellowship.
– Pray for Christians’ legal rights, that they will not be discriminated against.
Open Doors works through local partners in Egypt to support the church throughout the country with literacy training, education, advocacy, medical outreach, and youth, family, and women’s ministries.
