Dhimmi news from “secular” Egypt: “Christian groups have raised concerns about a woman being held in a Cairo jail for illegally altering her identity card to reflect her conversion from Islam to Christianity.” This from Middle East Times.
“Middle East Concern said Mariam Girgis Makar has been held for six weeks, after she was accused of altering her own identity card and helping others to alter theirs.
“Twenty people arrested for similar offenses at the same time as Makar have since been released; another died of illness in prison, according to Middle East Concern.
“Although the Egyptian constitution allows freedom of religion, critics say all religions are not treated equally in the country. For example, converts to Islam can get their identity cards changed within 24 hours, while converts from Islam find it impossible to change their cards at all, Middle East Concern said in a press release.
“The rights group said the difficulties faced by Christian converts in Egypt forced people to use illegal means of altering their state-issued identity cards.
“Middle East Concern also drew attention to the death in custody of Isam Abdel Fath, a Muslim civil servant who allegedly received bribes to help alter identity cards. Prison authorities said Abdel Fath died due to medical complications while in custody.
“Egyptian law stipulates that identity cards must be carried at all times.”