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No freedom of religion in Egypt (duh!)

Radio Netherlands ^ | January 19 2008 | Alexander Weissink

Posted on by knighthawk

Former Muslim Mohammed Higazi is lucky that he was not present in an Egyptian courtroom on Tuesday. An Islamic fundamentalist lawyer made death threats against the Egyptian for converting to Christianity. To the dismay of Higazi's lawyer the judge made no objection.

What made matters even worse, the judge went so far as to express his loathing off the accused because he had converted. There was no verdict but the judge vowed that he would never let Mr Higazy be registered as a Christian. He defended his decision by saying that Islam is the principal religion in Egypt. No mention was made of the freedom of religion established in the constitution which is a fundamental right of all citizens.

Hideaway Mr Higazy and his pregnant wife have been hiding for months at a secret location. He is the first convert who is attempting to get a judge to change the faith on his identity card from Muslim to Christian. Egyptian identity cards must report the faith of the holder. While freedom of religion exists theoretically, in practice Muslims are not allowed to change their religion in the municipal register.

At the age of 16 Mr Higazi converted to Christianity and took on the Christian name Beshoi. A classmate had left a book with takes from the Bible on his desk. "I began to read the book and was consumed by the love of Jesus," he explained last year in an interview at a secret location. When his wife, who is also a convert, became pregnant last year he decided to make the change official. "Otherwise my child will automatically be registered as a Muslim." However, his application was rejected.

Converts

Mr Higazi's lawyer Ramsis el-Naggar, who specialises in conversions, says "there is no freedom of choice in Egypt, unless you're a Muslim."

His law firm now represents some 400 converts. Most of his clients were originally Christian, for one reason or another converted to Islam, and now want to return to Christianity.

Sometimes his clients are people who regret that they changed their faith. However, many times his clients are the victims of government bureaucracy, such as children whose Christian fathers became Muslims.

Many civil servants are overzealous. If a man changes his faith to Islam they also change the listing of his children. Others function on the automatic pilot. They type the word Muslim on the card as a matter of habit. A lot of mistakes are made and it takes years to correct them.

An estimated 90% of Egypts population is Muslim. Coptic Christians are the largest minority.

Violence

So far El-Naggar has only achieved success in cases in which he could prove the person had never changed faith. In 2004 he won for the first time in the case of Mira Makram (33). Her husband had converted to Islam in 2002 and had forced her to sign a statement confirming that she had converted to Islam. Her religion was changed to Islam in the register without her knowledge. After two years of legal proceedings.the judge ordered that the change be rectified. Fundamentalists called for the death of Mira Makram. The lawyer says These kinds of cases lead to so much controversy that they are becoming even more difficult.

El-Naggar is expecting a verdict on 22 similar cases at the beginning of February and is full of optimism. However, the Higazi case is more difficult since his client was originally a Muslim. His only chance of success would be a letter from the patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, Shenouda III, acknowledging that he is a Christian. However even the pope does not dare to provide him with such a letter. Mr Higazi says he understands this.

Its too dangerous. If the pope were to give me the letter today, churches would be burning tomorrow.



TOPICS:

News/Current Events

KEYWORDS:

egypt

islam

islamofascism

Egypt is considered a 'moderate' muslim land...



To: dennisw; watchin; VOA; timestax; xJones; justshutupandtakeit; TopDog2; ThomasMore; Publius6961; ...

Former Muslim Mohammed Higazi is lucky that he was not present in an Egyptian courtroom on Tuesday. An Islamic fundamentalist lawyer made death threats against the Egyptian for converting to Christianity. To the dismay of Higazi's lawyer the judge made no objection. Islam-list If people want on or off this list, please let me know.



by 2 posted onby knighthawk (We will always remember We will always be proud We will always be prepared so we may always be free)

To: knighthawk

There’s one country Obama can never visit.



Comment #4 Removed by Moderator

Comment #5 Removed by Moderator

To: knighthawk

Here’s a link to an organization started by a Egyotian muslim converted to Christianity. The guy spent time in an Egyptian jail being tortured almost to death for his faith. http://www.onefreeworldinternational.org/



by 6 posted onby metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)

To: JackRyanCIA

What does Keith Ellison have to say?



Comment #8 Removed by Moderator

To: knighthawk

......An Islamic fundamentalist lawyer made death threats against the Egyptian for converting to Christianity...... Well......



Click the Pic



by 9 posted onby Fiddlstix (Warning! This Is A Subliminal Tagline! Read it at your own risk!(Presented by TagLines R US))

To: knighthawk

The only two countries in the Middle East where freedom of religion is guaranteed in the constitution are Israel and Turkey. You’ll notice neither are Arab lands.... When Muslims attack Christians in Turkey, they’re arrested. In Egypt, Muslims can give death sentences to soon-to-be-Christians in the courtroom. Big difference.



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