Religion on Egyptian citizens’ IDs required to be removed over discrimination
Mandatory indication of religion on Egyptian IDs causes protests. Photo: slovoproslovo
In Egypt, human rights organizations are demanding the removal of the "religion" field from national identity cards, considering it a source of discrimination and persecution of Christians. This is reported by Christianity Today.
According to human rights advocates, the requirement to indicate religion — Islam, Christianity, or Judaism — effectively deprives minorities of access to education, employment, healthcare, and justice. Authorities refuse to issue new documents to citizens who have converted from Islam to Christianity. Individual cases of police refusing to accept complaints from Christians are recorded in Cairo, Giza, and Minya.
The Executive Director of the US-based Empower Women Media (EWM), Shirin Taber, stated that removing the "religion" field could be a step towards social integration: "You’ll have a better chance of getting that job, getting enrolled in university, and your child being able to play on the soccer team," she noted. “Women, youth, and minorities are discriminated against the most." Representatives of the Coptic Orthodox Church also support the call to abolish the mandatory indication of religious affiliation, calling it a "matter of human dignity".
Up to 10 million Copts live in Egypt, making up the largest Christian community in the Middle East. Despite constitutional guarantees, attacks on parishes and believers still occur, and most cases are not investigated.
As reported by the UOJ, Christianity is recognized as the most persecuted religion in the world.
Read also
Kosovo to enact law restricting Serbian Church, experts say
Analysts warn that the new "Law on Foreigners" in Kosovo could restrict the presence of clergy, believers' access to shrines, and increase pressure on the Serbian community.
Congress Speaker: Demand to introduce Sharia law in USA is a serious problem
The Speaker of the House of Representatives stated that there is growing concern in society about attempts to impose Islamic law, which is incompatible with the American Constitution.
UK government introduces restrictions on "anti-Muslim hostility"
UK authorities have adopted a new definition of "Islamophobia" which, according to experts, could provide Muslims with special protection and restrict freedom of speech.
Dumenko brings icon in Church Slavonic to Ministry of Health
Epifaniy presented cardiologists with an Intercession icon, with inscriptions in Church Slavonic, which his structure calls a "sign of the Moscow tradition".
ISIS supporters carries out terrorist attack at anti-Islamic protest in NY
Near the home of New York's Muslim mayor, radicals threw two makeshift bombs at protesters during an anti-Islamic rally.
Hryshchuk: If UOC hands over its church itself, angle grinders aren't needed
An OCU chaplain called on UOC believers to accept the loss of the shrine for the sake of their own "enlightenment".