In an important ruling, an Egyptian court has allowed two converts to Islam to return to their original Coptic Orthodox faith. In the past many Copts who become Muslims in order to secure divorces (which is not permissible under Coptic practice) were allowed to reconvert to Christianity. However, a hardening of religious feeling in Egypt has made such delicate issues as conversion away from Islam much trickier. The ruling provides human rights and minority rights campaigners with hope that minority religious rights will be upheld and protected in Egypt.

From Open Democracy Security Briefings, Feb. 12

See our last post on Egypt, the Copts and the struggle within Islam.