Bullerish · Night Desk · Blog
Egypt · Blasphemy laws · Night Desk ·
Egypt arrested a Christian over Facebook posts about religion in state schools
Egyptian National Security officers took Coptic engineer Sherif Wagih Fahmi from his home in Alexandria on Oct. 5 after he criticized what his sister calls the “Islamization of education.” Reports differ on the charge, and none includes a government response. Amnesty International has urged Egypt to stop prosecuting people for discussing belief online.
What happened
Oct. 5, Alexandria: two men told his young daughter they were from the gas company. Fahmi, a 41-year-old Coptic engineer, went with them. Friends later learned he was at a National Security office.
What he posted
His sister says he objected to the “Islamization of education,” including schools swapping the national anthem at morning assembly for a religious one, and plans for Quranic schools.
The charge? Unclear.
Reports differ: “contempt of Islam,” speaking against Islam, or publishing false information online. His family can drop off supplies but can’t see or call him. No government response appears in the reports.
Why it matters
Egypt’s penal code, Article 98(f), covers “contempt” of religion. Christian Post reports 14 arrests since September for beliefs outside Islam. Amnesty, in January: discussing belief or non-belief online “is not a crime.”
Sources
- Christian Post: “Christian arrested for speaking against Islam in Egypt schools” (Anugrah Kumar, Nov. 2, 2026)
- International Christian Concern: “Coptic Christian Arrested” (Bella Agnello, Oct. 30, 2026)
- Christian Daily International (Morning Star News): “Authorities in Egypt hold Christian incommunicado” (Oct. 27, 2026)
- Amnesty International: “Egypt: Authorities must end crackdown on individuals discussing religious beliefs online” (Jan. 29, 2026)