Date: June 1, 2025
Tel: 202-682-4131
Email: richard@indefenseofchristians.org
Washington, DC – In Defense of Christians (IDC), the nation’s leading advocacy organization for Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East, expresses deep concern over the May 28, 2025 Egyptian court ruling which threatens the independence and historic rights of Saint Catherine’s Monastery.
Although Egyptian authorities have subsequently issued statements suggesting that the ruling will not adversely affect the monastery’s operation—which IDC is closely following and examining—the decision has sparked well-founded concern among Christian leaders and international observers, signaling the potential for increased state control over religious institutions. The ruling sets a dangerous precedent for religious freedom in Egypt and across the Middle East.
Saint Catherine’s Monastery, one of the world’s oldest functioning Christian monasteries, is situated at the foot of Mount Sinai where Moses received God’s Law. Saint Catherine’s Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage site that transcends religious and national boundaries. The monastery has stood as a testament to centuries of Christian history, housing ancient Christian manuscripts and artifacts. The recent court decision undermines this legacy and threatens the continued presence of Christian communities in the region.
According to IDC executive director Richard Ghazal, “IDC stands with the faithful who worship and serve at Saint Catherine’s Monastery, and with our entire Greek Orthodox family.” “We call on the U.S. Government to exercise diplomatic influence to urge the Egyptian government to reverse this unjust ruling and to safeguard the rights of Christian communities in Egypt,” Ghazal continued.
The United States must stand firmly in defense of religious freedom and the protection of vulnerable Christian communities in Egypt. We urge Secretary of State Marco Rubio and members of the U.S. Congress to engage directly with Egyptian officials to ensure that Saint Catherine’s Monastery is preserved and that the rights of Christian institutions in Egypt are upheld.
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