by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – In an apparent effort to improve its relations with Egypt’s Christian community, the Islamic Egyptian government last month approved the legalization of 293 previously unlicensed churches and service buildings, All Arab News (AAN) reports.
Following recommendations from the Main Committee under Article 8 of Law No. 80 from 2016, the legalization approval was given during a Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly on October 21.
Egypt will now have 3,453 churches and worship centers with legal status,
“Since the passing of that law, Egypt has moved to legalize churches built without prior approval, as well as authorizing the construction of new churches,” AAN said in its report. “The law was meant to address significant administrative and security hurdles in approving the construction of new churches following complaints from the Coptic Christian community.”
In a recent report, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom confirmed: “Religious freedom conditions in Egypt are trending tentatively in a positive direction.”
“The country has seen a decrease in radical Islamist violence and anti-Christian mob attacks, some progress in implementing the registration process for unlicensed churches and related buildings, and the launch of a government program to address religious intolerance in rural areas,” the USCIRF noted.
Nevertheless, the USCIRF cautioned: “Systematic and ongoing religious inequalities remain affixed in the Egyptian state and society, and various forms of religious bigotry and discrimination continue to plague the country’s Coptic Christians and other religious minorities.”
Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
Newly declassified COVID-19 documents released by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard have revived questions about U.S.-funded coronavirus research in China, Dr. Anthony Fauci’s testimony before Congress, and whether federal officials misled the American people about the origins of the pandemic.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday night that the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran has created the conditions for the Islamic Republic’s eventual collapse, declaring that Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure, military leadership, missile program, navy, and terror network have been severely degraded.
Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar said Sunday that his government will submit a constitutional amendment Monday aimed at removing several senior officials appointed during predecessor Viktor Orbán’s 16 consecutive years in power, escalating a confrontation with remaining Orbán-era officeholders, including the nation’s president.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday that he will resign following election setbacks and growing pressure within his Labour Party over his leadership.
President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened Iran with renewed military strikes if Tehran fails to restrain Hezbollah in Lebanon or keep the Strait of Hormuz open, even as Vice President J.D. Vance opened high-stakes talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel will maintain its security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary, even as U.S.-Iran talks opened in Switzerland and appeared to stall after fresh threats from President Donald Trump.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned his nation that Russian forces may be preparing a major new offensive and urged Ukrainians to remain vigilant as fresh attacks across the country killed at least seven people, including civilians living near the front lines.