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An Egyptian Christian branded an apostate for leaving Islam is 'devastated' by a court decision to suspend his legal battle to change his religion on his identity card.

Mohammed Ahmed Hegazy has had his case suspended until the Constitutional Court rules on a separate legal challenge to a section of the civil code which, in theory, allows Egyptians to change the religion listed on their ID card.

Mohammed says that delaying a judgment in his case will only prolong the uncertainty and danger surrounding his family, including his two children – Mariam, two, and baby Yousef.

The 27-year-old, who lives in hiding, has suffered severe persecution, including imprisonment, since he became a Christian in 1998. The persecution intensified in 2007 when he began his legal battle to change his religion to 'Christian' on his ID papers in a high-profile suit. The court ruled against him and he is currently appealing against that judgment.

Currently, the Egyptian Government lists both Mohammed's children as 'Muslim' – so they too would be considered 'apostates' if they chose to embrace Christianity. Compass Direct news agency reports that this latest court ruling could delay a decision in his case 'for several years'.

(Source: Compass Direct)

• As they share in Christ's sufferings, pray that Mohammed and his wife and children will receive Christ's comfort (2 Cor 1:5).
• Pray for a swift and positive ruling on Mohammed's case.

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