Egyptian Christians Seek Refuge as Attacks, Discrimination Persist

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – Egyptian Christians facing religious-based violence and discrimination are increasingly relying on underground safe houses as authorities continue to fall short on protecting minority rights, Christian advocates say.

In one recent case, an Egyptian Christian woman identified as Amira Butros fled her home after a Muslim neighbor allegedly assaulted her, her mother, and Sudanese refugees attending a house church she hosted. According to Butros, the attacker accused her of converting Muslims to Christianity, after which local authorities refused to accept her complaint because of her faith. She later found shelter through Help for the Persecuted, which operates roughly 20 safe houses across the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia.

Although Egypt’s constitution guarantees religious freedom, Christian leaders and human rights advocates say violence against Christians—particularly converts from Islam—is rarely investigated. Egypt’s Christians number more than 10 million, making up at least 10 percent of the population and representing the largest Christian community in the Middle East and North Africa.

Tensions escalated again in October when a Muslim mob attacked a Coptic Christian community in Minya, forcing a Christian family from their village following rumors of a relationship between a Christian man and a Muslim woman. Weeks earlier, U.S. lawmakers introduced a resolution urging Cairo to grant Coptic Christians equal rights and prosecute crimes committed against them.

Advocates also point to Egypt’s national ID card system, which requires citizens to list one of three recognized religions, as a driver of discrimination. Rights groups are pressing the government to remove religious identifiers from IDs, arguing it would reduce barriers to employment, education, and basic services for Christians and other minorities.

While President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has taken symbolic steps toward inclusion—such as attending Christian services and approving new church buildings—reform efforts often face resistance from Islamist leaders and influential religious institutions.

Despite the risks, Egyptian Christians continue to minister quietly. From a Cairo safe house, Butros says she hopes to resume serving Sudanese refugees who themselves fled persecution. “We create support for those who have experienced persecution,” she said. “It’s very important I continue my service.”

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