Egyptian court rejects suit to restore Christian boys' religious identification

Egyptian court rejects lawsuit to restore Christian boys' religious identification

by Staff
May 12, 2010

(christiansunite.com) - A lawsuit filed by the mother of 15-year-old Coptic twins, Mario and Andrew, was rejected by an administrative judicial court on March 30 in Egypt.

Camilia Lutfi filed the lawsuit against the Interior Minister and the director of the Civil Status Department for refusing to re-instate the Christian religion on the boys' birth certificates. Mario and Andrew's certificates were changed to reflect Islam as their religion when their father converted in 2005.

Camilia desires to restore her sons' identity as Christians on their birth certificates before they turn 16 in June, the age at which national ID cards are issued in Egypt.

She fears that if their ID cards are issued with Islam as their religious affiliation, they will be considered apostates if they try to change their cards to reflect their Christian faith.

Mario and Andrew were reportedly extremely disappointed with the verdict, saying "faith is not by force, we want to remain Christians and we do not wish to become Muslims." (Source: Assyrian International News Agency)

Pray that Mario and Andrew's birth certificates will be changed before their national ID cards are issued this June. Pray that they will rejoice in the opportunity to grow in Christlikeness through the ongoing opposition they face (James 1:2-4). Pray for strength and endurance for Camilia as she fights for her sons' rights. Pray that authorities in Egypt will respect religious freedom.

Go to www.persecution.net/egypt.htm to find out more about persecution in Egypt. To watch a video interview with Mario and Andrew, please visit bit.ly/9wYZAT.

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