Egypt’s Supreme Administrative Court recently ruled in favour of anyone wanting their religious registration officially changed back to “Christian”, according to Middle East Concern.
The new ruling affects those who were registered as “Christian,” but whose registration was changed to “Muslim”; this change can happen when an adult converts to Islam, or when a parent changes their children’s registration, or because of clerical error.
The court also criticized the Ministry of the Interior for not implementing its previous rulings and instructed government officials to implement the new ruling without further delay.
Back in 2008, some Christians were permitted to change their religious registration from “Muslim” to “Christian,” but Egyptian authorities refused to cooperate on the grounds that it was impractical to implement. However, after the court affirmed its initial ruling, the State Council of fatwas blocked it, claiming each individual had to file a separate case. But now, all citizens with the appropriate documentation have the right to officially change their religious registration.
The new ruling affects those who were registered as “Christian,” but whose registration was changed to “Muslim”; this change can happen when an adult converts to Islam, or when a parent changes their children’s registration, or because of clerical error.
The court also criticized the Ministry of the Interior for not implementing its previous rulings and instructed government officials to implement the new ruling without further delay.
Back in 2008, some Christians were permitted to change their religious registration from “Muslim” to “Christian,” but Egyptian authorities refused to cooperate on the grounds that it was impractical to implement. However, after the court affirmed its initial ruling, the State Council of fatwas blocked it, claiming each individual had to file a separate case. But now, all citizens with the appropriate documentation have the right to officially change their religious registration.
