The decision was issued following a meeting of the Government Committee that oversees the legalisation of churches, which was chaired by the Prime Minister, Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported.

This measure brings the total number of churches that have been legalised since the committee commenced its mandate in 2016 to 1638.

Even though Christians living in Egypt have been granted with more religious freedom during the presidency of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, some controversial issues still emerge.

According to CSW, local authorities demolished a church building in Koum Al-Farag, Al-Behera governorate, on Wednesday 20 May following sectarian protests. This particular place of worship has been used for fifteen years.

Few yeas ago local Muslims erected a mosque next to the church, thus they could have refer to an Islamic tradition that “churches are prevented from being formally recognised or displaying any Christian symbols if a mosque is built next to them”.

The case have been continued until this May, when authorities made a decision to demolish the church alongside with the mosque.

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Photo: wataninet.com