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Recognition of religion or belief in Egypt

According to the SRR, conditions for RoRB in the Arab Republic of Egypt are classified censorious.

Recognition of religion or belief in Egypt

Overview:


  • State religion is Islam.

  • A system of vertical recognition is in place whereby even though recognition may be achieved for non-Islamic groups, this recognition does not correspond to the same degree of recognition that Islam itself as a belief system has received by the state due to it being the state religion.

  • Recognition and registration are amalgamated rather than ideally differentiated with a focus on the former as existential recognition; only Islamic, Christian and Jewish denominations may receive recognition.

  • The process of determining an applicant group as a “a threat to national unity or social peace" is subjective and could be easily used to discriminate against groups.

  • The requirement for the president to review all recognition applications politicises the process and gives the president undue power over the religious and belief activities of citizens.

  • The ongoing discrimination, physical assaults, terrorist acts, desecrations and forced displacements of targeted minorities demonstrates a major breakdown in the recognition system and its capacities to protect the dignity of all belief groups.


Positive elements:


  • Nil.


Recommendations:


  • Allow for all types of groups to apply for recognition or registration.

  • Lift all nationwide bans.

  • Remove all forms of politicisation of the recognition system.

RoRB Topic
RoRB Compliance
RoRB Classification
Title
Country or territory
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