Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Sunday chaired a meeting of the Main Committee for Legalising the Status of Churches and Affiliated Service Buildings. The committee approved the legalisation of 160 additional churches and service buildings, which brings the total number of establishments legalised by the committee to 3,613.
According to Cabinet Spokesperson Mohamed El-Homsani, the committee legalised these establishments after reviewing the latest assessment reports on the status of churches and buildings that had submitted requests for legalisation.
The process of legalisation reflects the government’s nationwide effort to regularise Christian places of worship.
Furthermore, El-Homsani noted that the meeting also reviewed the status of compliance with civil protection and safety requirements for churches that had been previously legalised. He added that the committee strongly emphasised ensuring that all approved buildings meet fire safety and structural protection standards.
Since its formation in 2017, the committee has continued to convene regularly to oversee the process of legalising churches and their affiliated buildings. The committee’s activities are governed by Law No. 80 of 2016 on the Construction and Restoration of Churches, which establishes a clear legal framework for constructing, renovating, and licensing Christian places of worship based on reforms mandated by the 2014 Constitution. Additionally, the committee aims to resolve the longstanding licensing issues of Christian places of worship across Egypt.
For decades, the construction or repair of churches in Egypt was governed by a patchwork of outdated regulations, including the Hamayouni Decree of 1856 and the “Ten Conditions of Al-Ezabi” of 1934, which imposed strict restrictions based on local demographics and proximity to mosques.
As a result, many congregations across the country were unable to obtain official licenses, leaving thousands of churches and service buildings operating without legal status.
The 2016 law, passed by Parliament in implementation of Article 235 of the Constitution, marked a turning point.
The law transferred authority for church construction approvals from the presidency to provincial governors, required decisions to be issued within four months, and permitted the legalisation of existing unlicensed churches through a dedicated committee chaired by the prime minister.
Under the legislation, the size and capacity of new churches must reflect the needs of local Christian populations, while all legalised buildings must comply with civil protection and safety standards.
The law also prohibits the conversion of any approved church or annexe to non-religious use.
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