Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate his Department has made of the extent of the (a) destruction and (b) closure of places of religious worship for Coptic Christians in Egypt (i) Manshiyet Zafarana and (ii) other towns and villages.
Answered on
15 May 2019
We are concerned about reports of the destruction or closure of Coptic places of worship in Egypt at a local level. We condemn all discrimination against religious minorities and constraints on their freedom to practise their faith. Positive steps forward on this agenda are to be welcomed, including President Sisi's calls for peaceful coexistence and the Government of Egypt's expression of support for the rights of Christians and for religious tolerance.
The 2016 Church Building Law represents another step forward in this area, increasing the number of registered churches in Egypt.