Irreligion in Egypt

Religion in Egypt
Religions in Egypt
Islam Sunni Shia Christianity Coptic Orthodoxy Greek Orthodoxy Catholicism Protestantism Judaism
Religious institutions
Al-Azhar University Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah Coptic Orthodox Church Catechetical School of Alexandria General Congregation Council
Unrecognized religions & denominations
Ahmadiyya Baháʼí Faith
Other topics
Irreligion in Egypt Secularism in Egypt Freedom of religion in Egypt
Egypt portal Religion portal
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Irreligion in Egypt is controversial due to the prominence of conservative social traditions and the persecution by the religious institutions in the country.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]} It is difficult to quantify the number of atheists or agnostics in Egypt, as the stigma attached to being one makes it hard for irreligious Egyptians to publicly profess their views and beliefs.^[8][3][9]

Furthermore, public statements that can be deemed critical of Islam, Christianity and Judaism can be tried under the country's notorious blasphemy law.^[10][11] Outspoken atheists, like Alber Saber, Kareem Amer, and others, have been convicted under this law.^[12][13][14] These types of crime in Egypt hold a status similar to Antragsdelikt, legal proceedings only occur if a citizen, usually an official from the religious establishments, takes the step of filing against the person engaging in blasphemy, and cases are not initiated by the general prosecutor; also, officials from the religious institutions, specifically al-Azhar institution, issue fatwa to permit the killing of those who blaspheme if the Egyptian government does not do it, such as in the case of Hamed Abdelsamad,^[15] and in the case of Farag Fouda who was shot dead in 1992 by Islamists as a consequence, among others.^[16][17] In 2000, an openly atheist Egyptian writer, who called for the establishment of a local association for atheists, was tried on charges of insulting Islam in four of his books.^[18]