The Bishop of Southwark received the following written answers on 26th April 2021:
The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of freedom of religion or belief in Egypt.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon (Con, FCDO): The UK welcomes the positive steps taken by the Government of Egypt in recent years, including President Sisi’s public commitment to upholding the rights of minorities and freedom of worship, as well as the protections for freedom of religion enshrined in the Egyptian constitution. We were also encouraged by the opening of the Middle East’s largest cathedral in Egypt in 2019.
The UK continues to make clear to the Egyptian authorities the importance we attach to these issues. Most recently, the Prime Minister raised Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) with President Sisi during their telephone call in March 2021. Our strong relationship with Egypt also allows us to raise sensitive issues, such as the ongoing detention of Coptic activist Ramy Kamel, which we most recently raised with the Egyptian authorities in November 2020.
The Lord Bishop of Southwark asked Her Majesty’s Government:
- what is their assessment of the legal challenges facing the Anglican Church in Egypt from the Protestant Churches of Egypt and the impact this legal dispute on (1) the life of the Anglican Church in Egypt, and (2) Christianity and religious freedom in Egypt.
- what representations they have made to the government of Egypt about (1) the official recognition of the recently established Anglican Province of Alexandria and the distinct identity of the historic Anglican Church in Egypt, (2) the effect that the absence of such recognition is having on current legal challenges faced by the Anglican Church in Egypt, and (3) the impact of this legal dispute on (a) the life of the Anglican Church in Egypt, and (b) Christianity and religious freedom in Egypt.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We have been encouraged by the positive steps taken by the Government of Egypt in recent years, including President Sisi’s public commitment to upholding the rights of minorities and freedom of worship, as well as the protections for freedom of religion enshrined in Egypt’s constitution. However, we remain concerned by the difficulties being faced by the Anglican Province of Alexandria in receiving official recognition as an independent denomination. Our Embassy in Cairo is in close contact with Archbishop Mouneer about the matter, and we have made senior representations to the Egyptian authorities. Most recently, during their telephone call in March, the Prime Minister and President Sisi agreed on the importance of upholding freedom of religion and belief.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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