Draft of Egypt’s First Personal Status Law for Christians Approved

A draft of a personal status law for Christians has been finalised after months of negotiation between the Ministry of Justice and representatives of Egypt’s five officially-recognised Christian sects, namely Orthodox, Protestant, Catholic, Roman Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox.

Currently, Christians in Egypt follow the general personal status law based on Islamic principles, which affects all citizens, including non Muslims. The new draft law introduces equal inheritance rights for men and women and aligns with some rules from Muslim laws, although it doesn’t recognise civil marriage or adoption.

The draft law will soon be sent to the House of Representatives, where a special committee will review it, before deciding to make any amendments and allowing it to be voted on in the legislature.

If passed, this draft law would become the first comprehensive legal framework for Christian personal status issues in Egypt.