Egypt's Bahá'í Case: THE REAL ISSUES AND FACTS

It should be understood precisely what is at issue in this case. Egyptian Bahá'ís must have in hand the new National ID Card before the deadline of 31 December 2006, on which all Egyptian citizens must carry the new ID Card at all times. The application form requires the applicant to state his or her religion. It also requires the applicant to declare "that all details in this application are correct and real; I accept responsibility for consequences, with the full knowledge that providing any incorrect information in this application is considered forgery of official documents and is legally punishable according to the articles of the penal code". This, of course, places the Bahá’ís in an untenable situation, since they have been told explicitly by government officials that they are not permitted to hold identification in which the space for religion specifies "other" and that they must "choose one of the three religions."

To find out the real issues and facts pertaining to this case read the full article posted on the Bahá'í Faith in Egypt blog and also an article from the Reuters South Africa website.