The government of Egypt approved the licensing of 293 churches and church-affiliated buildings on 21 October.
This was the 28th batch of approvals granted since the government committee overseeing the licensing process began work in 2017.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly presided over the committee meeting, which reviewed the decisions taken at the previous session in January 2024.
Egypt’s Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly, centre, oversees the meeting of the church licensing committee [Image credit: Wataninet]
The decision brings the number of churches granted licences to 3,453 out of the 3,730 that applied for registration after a Law for Building and Restoring Churches abolished Ottoman-era restrictions on church buildings in 2016.
To secure their licences, churches must prove ownership of land and fulfil structural and safety obligations, including the availability of fire extinguishers.
Before the committee addressed the task of processing licences it was extremely difficult for churches to obtain a licence, and many congregations had no option but to worship illegally in unregistered buildings.
In 2018 the government allowed Christians to worship in unlicensed buildings pending the completion of the registration process.
Give thanks for the committee’s work in approving 293 licences to churches and church-affiliated buildings. Pray that the continuing legalisation process will lead to the reduction of hostility towards Christians from extremists in the Muslim-majority community.
