On the issue of Christian reconverts

Two weeks ago the Supreme Administrative Court issued a ruling allowing Christian-born converts to Islam who revert to their original Christianity to be officially registered as Christian. The ruling gives them the right to be cited as Christians in ID cards, but with explicit mention that the holder had previously converted to Islam. The same court issued a ruling the week before in favour of the right of Baha’is to leave the religious affiliation box blank on official documents.
The two rulings represent a major step on the road of enhancing freedom of belief. Indeed, Egyptians at one point in their modern history experienced freedom of belief as a reality. Muslims, Christians, Jews and Baha’is lived side by side in harmony and peace, so much so that values of coexistence were taken for granted by everyone. In those good old days even atheists faced no problem whatsoever with revealing their true belief, and cultural and intellectual circles witnessed fierce ideological battles that used to be handled through reason and debate—rather than with the sword and gun.
Although a lot is still wanting to achieve real freedom of belief, the recent rulings warrant applaud because they are two moves in the right direction. I believe that Baha’is will one day be able to have their religion cited on their ID cards. This will be the day when society recognises that the official citing of a person’s religion is a mere acknowledgement that this is the person’s faith, not an endorsement of that faith by the State. And I believe that the day will come when the religious box will be removed altogether from formal papers. Our community will then be liberated from the artificial dominance of religion on all aspects of life. Religion can then recapture its prime role as a driving force for peace and love.
But for today, Christian-born reconverts to Christianity have gained the right to be registered as Christians in formal papers, albeit with their previous conversion to Islam mentioned explicitly. The court justified this stipulation by the need on the part of society to be cautious while dealing with these people. Sadly, the ruling neglected that in the context of the prevalent religious extremism, the reconverts may be subjected to a plethora of difficulties in their daily life. The reaction by a policeman, a civil employee, or a university professor when dealing with one of these reconverts could range from mockery to humiliation or even victimisation.
I believe that this stipulation should be reconsidered if the rights of reconverts are to be truly protected. Human rights activists suggest it may be included in the original papers presented to the civil registration office rather than in the ID cards themselves. Thus individuals’ religious history would be available to whom it may concern. In all cases, it is absolutely unfair that children should suffer on account of a parent’s religious manoeuvres.
Finally, it should be said that the ruling is indeed a step forward to enhance freedom of belief. It is hoped that further steps would follow until the ultimate goal is attained when freedom of belief becomes ingrained in people’s minds and souls, away from any self-appointed inquisitor of consciences.

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