06 August 2015

Persecution lurks for converts from Islam in Egypt

He is one of many in Egypt to face persecution. But having been locked up in a cell commonly used to detain captives awaiting capital punishment, the psychological burden weighing on Bishoy is exceptionally high.

He has been maltreated; time and again hit in the face. When he asked to receive communion, his request was denied. So too was his wish to keep a Bible. The story of Bishoy Armeya, the first Egyptian to seek official recognition of conversion to a religion other than Islam, is that of a one-man revolt against state oppression. [openDemocracy] Read more