An Egyptian committee concerned with regularizing churches agreed to regularize 80 unlicensed churches and church-affiliated service buildings, as part of the country’s efforts to facilitate the presence of new Christian worships in Egypt.
The decision was taken during a meeting with Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Monday.
Christians make up around 10 percent of Egypt’s 104 million population, according to unofficial records.
In a speech delivered in November, President Abdul Fatah al-Sisi asserted his protection to the freedom of worship, saying that the state is concerned with building a church in each new community, adding that “if there are other religions in Egypt, we will build places of worship for them.”
His comments came two days after seven Christian pilgrims were gunned down on the road – including six members of the same family.
The total number of regularized churches and their affiliated service buildings amounts to 588.
In October, 76 churches and 44 affiliated buildings were licensed.
Monday’s decision comes in accordance to Egypt’s law regarding regulating and building churches.
Egyptian government spokesman Nader Saad said the committee charged with reviewing and legalizing unlicensed churches made its decision following a review of requests filed by congregations to regulate their churches’ statuses.
The churches will be legalized on condition that they meet several conditions, including the need to meet the requirements for civil protection within a period of four months.
On Sunday, the presidential office announced that a Supreme committee to counter sectarian strife would be established and chaired by the presidential advisor for security affairs.
The Coptic Orthodox Church spokesperson, Boulos Halim, said that the presidential decree is a significant step on the right track to overcome sectarianism and extremism in Egypt.
“The decree will encourage all the state’s institutions to fight terrorism and will create a positive reaction within the Egyptian street,” he said.
