PM Directs Officials to Accelerate Adjusting Legal Status of Churches

By: Ibrahim Eldeeb

PM Dr. Mustapha Madbouli met today with members of the main committee

for  legalization of the churches, where

he called upon accelerating the adjustment of the legal status of the churches.

The meeting was attended by Ministers of Antiquities and Parliament

Affairs as well as other officials.

Nader Saad, spokesman for the PM, said that the committee reviewed the

results of the review carried out over the past month for the status of the

churches that have requested to adjust their legal status. Accordingly, the

committee agreed today to legalize the status of 80 churches and a subsidiary

building, including 9 churches and buildings upon meeting requirements of

structural safety as well as adjusting their lands ownership.

In this regard, the total number of churches and buildings approved

since the start of the Commission's work has so far reached 588 churches and

buildings. In addition, 39 churches and buildings have been legalized.

The Spokesman explained that the committee was formed by Law no. 80 in

2016 about regulating construction and restoration of the churches. The adopted

criteria including structural safety, as well as property ownership.

During the meeting, the PM reaffirmed 

the importance of accelerating the work of the legalization of  churches and buildings that meet the

conditions set by Law No. 80 in 2016.

He also called upon the heads of the religious sects to direct the

affiliated churches to comply with the requirements of the Committee in terms

of structural safety and adjusting property ownership.

The Prime Minister concluded by expressing the cabinet's sincere

greetings and wishes for happy holidays and merry christmas for all Christians.