Center for the Study of Political Islam International

Political Islam in the News

Human Rights

in Islamic Countries

Rights Groups Follow Developments in Egypt Ashura Detentions Amid Calls to Protect Freedom of Belief

shiawaves.com · July 20, 2026

CSPII Commentary: Human rights groups are monitoring detentions of Egyptians questioned over Ashura commemorations in Cairo, with advocates calling for religious freedom and fair trials. From a non-Islamic perspective, this shows that even in the more liberal Islamic country, where the constitution has "absolute freedom of religion", and there is no law prohibiting apostasy, there is still enforcement under various excuses (the most common is "offending religious sensibilities").