U.S. Presses Egypt Over Rising Christian Persecution, Religious Freedom Abuses

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

CAIRO (Worthy News) – The Trump administration is pressing Egypt to protect religious freedom amid mounting concerns over attacks, imprisonment and discrimination targeting the country’s large Christian community, including converts from Islam and members of the ancient Coptic Church.

The State Department intervention follows a series of recent incidents highlighted by Fox News, including the imprisonment of Christian convert Said Mansour Rezk Abdelrazek, attacks on churches and clergy, and broader concerns that Egyptian authorities are failing to adequately protect Christians from sectarian violence.

A State Department spokesperson told Fox News that President Donald Trump has emphasized America’s commitment to defending the right of people to practice their faith “openly, freely, and without fear.” The United States provides Egypt with roughly $1.3 billion in annual assistance, giving Washington significant leverage in its relationship with Cairo.

Christian Convert Held on Terrorism Charges

Among the most troubling cases is Abdelrazek, who converted from Islam to Christianity in 2016. According to Fox News, religious freedom advocates say he endured years of harassment and detention before Egyptian prosecutors referred him to a terrorism court. His attorneys reportedly have been denied access to portions of the case, while advocates allege he has suffered abuse and inadequate medical treatment in custody.

Other recent incidents include a July attack on a church in Upper Egypt in which a Muslim mob reportedly threw stones at the building, injuring Christians and damaging church property. Days later, a Coptic Orthodox priest was attacked in Egypt’s South Sinai region.

The cases reflect deeper concerns documented by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which said religious freedom conditions in Egypt remained poor during 2025 and accused the government of systematically restricting religious expression that departs from the state’s interpretation of Islam.

Christians Face Legal and Social Pressure

Egypt’s Christians represent roughly 10 percent of the population and constitute the largest Christian minority in the Middle East and North Africa. More than 90 percent belong to the Coptic Orthodox Church.

Despite constitutional guarantees of religious belief, Egypt’s constitution declares Islam the state religion and identifies the principles of Sharia as the primary source of legislation. USCIRF said Egyptian authorities continue to use blasphemy provisions and cybercrime laws against people whose religious views conflict with officially sanctioned interpretations of Islam.

The commission also reported continuing discrimination against Christians in government employment and public life, along with inadequate investigations of attacks against Christian communities in rural Upper Egypt.

USCIRF has recommended that Egypt be placed on the State Department’s Special Watch List for governments engaging in or tolerating severe violations of religious freedom. It has also urged Washington to make improvements in religious freedom part of broader U.S.-Egypt security cooperation and foreign assistance.

Progress — But Serious Problems Remain

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has repeatedly presented himself as a defender of religious coexistence and has publicly attended Coptic Christmas celebrations. His government has also approved thousands of church-building permits under reforms enacted since 2016.

Yet USCIRF reported that approximately 2,000 applications seeking legalization of churches and Christian facilities were still awaiting government action, while Christian communities continue to report harassment and unequal treatment.

The Trump administration’s renewed pressure places the treatment of Christians squarely within the wider U.S.-Egypt relationship — one built around military cooperation, regional stability and billions of dollars in American assistance.

For Egypt’s Christians, however, the central issue is far more basic: whether believers can worship Christ, openly profess their faith and raise their families as Christians without fear of imprisonment, discrimination or violence.

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