Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: July 26, 2025
Saeid Mansour Abdulraziq is a Christian convert who is currently detained in Egypt. Will you join us in praying for him today?
On Tuesday, Egypt’s state security court charged him with joining a terrorist organisation, stirring unrest and spreading false news.
But Saeid has committed no crime.
In reality, he is being punished for changing his religion – which is not illegal – and for asking for this change to be recorded in his official identity documents, which isn’t prohibited by the constitution, nor by the civil and penal codes.
This is the story so far:
When Saeid converted to Christianity in 2016, his family rejected him. He endured societal hostility and police intimidation whenever he shared his new faith publicly.
He had joined the Russian Orthodox Church in Egypt, and in 2018 he was able to travel to Russia, where he applied for asylum. Saeid also began criticising Islam publicly, which angered some members of Russia’s Muslim communities.
The Russian authorities arrested Saeid and imprisoned him for a year, after which his asylum was revoked. He was deported to Egypt in 2024.
When he arrived, Saeid was interrogated for a few hours before being released by the authorities – but not before they warned him to keep quiet and avoid proselytising.
A few weeks ago, Saeid asked a lawyer to help him get new identification documents that included his change of religion. However, he was arrested on 15 July 2025 and charged a week later (22 July).
Saeid Fayaz (a Christian lawyer based in Cairo) told us that thousands of Christian converts in Egypt ‘live in isolation and constant fear.’
Please pray:
- For Saeid Mansour Abdulraziq’s unconditional release. Ask God to strengthen and encourage him, even behind bars.
- That the Egyptian authorities will do more to tackle religious discrimination, specifically by ending policies and practices that underpin inequality.
- That every Egyptian citizen would be free to practice a religion or belief of their choice – without fear of intimidation, threats, harassment or violence.
- That Christian converts would receive the support and protection they need, and that their rights would be respected.
‘When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.’ (Psalm 56:3)