ADF Lawyer Highlights Ongoing Persecution of Christians in Egypt

Cairo, Egypt — A recent visit to Egypt by Lizzie Francis Brink, legal counsel for global religious freedom at ADF International, has shed light on the persistent and often overlooked persecution of Egypt’s Christian population, the largest Christian community in the Middle East.

Egypt is home to approximately 111 million people, of which 90% are Sunni Muslim and around 10%—or 11 million people—are Christian. Despite constitutional guarantees of “absolute” religious freedom, Brink says many Christians continue to face systemic discrimination, harassment, and targeted violence, particularly in rural and southern parts of the country.

“Among the persecuted are Egypt’s Christians, who live in a land of ancient wonders and rich history—yet face daily discrimination, harsh restrictions, and constant pressure to hide their faith,” Brink said after her March 2025 visit. “Despite Egypt’s status as a cultural and historical giant in Africa, it remains an ongoing struggle for many believers.”

Discrimination Rooted in Social and Religious Extremism

Brink emphasized that while Egypt’s government does not always directly instigate persecution, it also fails to protect Christians from societal violence and extremist ideologies. In southern Egypt, where Islamic extremist groups like the Salafi al-Nour party hold sway despite official bans, Christians are particularly vulnerable.

Christian Egyptians routinely face:

• Employment and educational discrimination
• Obstruction in building new churches
• Sexual violence and bombings
• Social ostracization, especially for converts from Islam

Authorities frequently ignore such incidents, offering limited legal recourse for victims. In some cases, converts to Christianity are arrested under Egypt’s blasphemy laws or falsely accused of terrorism.

Case Spotlight: Abdulbaqi Abdo

Brink highlighted the case of Abdulbaqi Abdo, a Yemeni-born Muslim who converted to Christianity and was arrested in 2021 for allegedly “joining a terrorist group” and showing “contempt for Islam.” In reality, Abdo’s only offense was joining a Facebook group for Christian converts.

He spent years in Egypt’s notorious prison system, denied regular family visits and legal representation. In 2024, Abdo launched a hunger strike in protest of his detention. After international pressure from ADF International and lobbying efforts at the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, Abdo was finally released in January 2025 and has since relocated to a safer country. However, his legal case remains open.

Enduring Faith Amid Persecution

Despite mounting challenges, Brink says she witnessed courage, resilience, and unwavering faith among Egypt’s Christian community.

“Egypt’s Christians live under constant pressure—from discriminatory laws, violent attacks, and systemic injustice. Despite constitutional promises and international treaties meant to protect religious freedom, the reality presents critical challenges,” Brink said.

“But in the face of such hardship, the courage and resilience of Egypt’s Christian community are a powerful testament to the enduring hope of the Gospel. During my trip, I witnessed that hope firsthand.”

ADF International continues its advocacy on behalf of persecuted Christians around the world, calling on international bodies to hold Egypt accountable for failing to uphold its religious freedom commitments.

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