President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has approved the building of two new churches: one for Evangelical Copts in the town of Abu-Teeg in Assiut, Upper Egypt; and another for Catholic Copts in the satellite town of al-Qahira al-Gadida (New Cairo) east of Cairo.
According to current laws, the building of any new church in Egypt requires a presidential decree, and the restoration or renovation of existing churches need governorial decrees, which makes church building a difficult, arduous task. Copts are waiting for new legislation by the current parliament which, according to the Constitution, should pass a law to govern the building of churches in a reasonable manner. The building of mosques in Egypt requires only permits from the relevant building authorities.
Watani International
12 February 2016