Egypt Legalizes 100 Churches, Coptic Buildings, Total Reaches 1,738

The committee concerned with legalizing unlicensed churches, headed by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli, announced during its meeting on Monday that it had legalized the status of 45 churches and 55 service buildings, according to the cabinet’s spokesman, Nader Saad.

The meeting was attended by a number of state officials, including Minister of Justice Omar Marwan and Minister of Local Development Mahmoud Shaarawy.

In a statement, Saad added that the committee's new decision brings the total number of legalized churches and related service buildings rose to 1,738 nationwide.

The step comes as part of the state's constant efforts to legalize the status of churches to entrench values of citizenship, freedom of worship and equality.

During the meeting, the officials reviewed the status of churches and related buildings which have submitted requests for legalization since the committee’s last meeting on 18 May.

In 2016, Egypt’s parliament approved a long-awaited law regulating the building and renovation of churches. In 2017, the committee was established by the prime minister.

Egypt's Copts make up about 10-14 percent of the country's 100 million-plus population, with the vast majority of Christians in Egypt belonging to the Coptic Orthodox Church.