The Authority is part of Egypt's State Council, an independent judicial body that handles administrative disputes, legal advice, and legislation review. The appeal will be reviewed by Commissioners who are judicial officials that prepare cases for judgment and mediate settlements.

Lawyers and citizens from diverse religious backgrounds submitted the petition, with support from Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International. According to ADF International, the appeal followed the Prime Minister's rejection of a petition to acknowledge Easter as an official public holiday.

The coalition of lawyers and individuals argues that failing to designate the holiday violates the rights of over 10 million Christians in the country.

In April 2025, a group of lawyers appealed to the Cabinet of Ministers, asking the government to recognize the holiday as a paid day off so Christians could celebrate with their families.

The petition noted that many Coptic Christians cannot celebrate Easter because of work obligations in essential sectors like legal practice, or because the holiday coincides with academic examinations and coursework at universities.

"As a result, many are deprived of the ability to observe their religious rituals and to partake in the celebration with their families in a dignified and meaningful way," the petitioners said.

The petition, said Kelsey Zorzi, director of Global Religious Freedom for ADF International, provides an opportunity to “advance the right of Christians to freely practice their faith in Egypt."

"For millions of Egyptian Christians, recognizing Easter as a public holiday would mean being able to fully observe one of the most sacred days of their faith without having to choose between work or school and their religious practices. It's a meaningful step toward ensuring their rights are respected," he added.

ADF International observed that the Egyptian government already officially recognizes other religious holidays, including Orthodox Christmas and Muslim celebrations. The lack of recognition for Easter forces Christians to choose between observing their faith and fulfilling their professional or academic duties.

Shrinking Religious Rights

Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt's population. According to ADF International, they still face daily discrimination, harsh restrictions, and constant pressure to hide their faith. In January, Open Doors International released a report detailing the persecution of Christians in Egypt.

The report, titled Egypt: Persecution Dynamics, stated: "The lack of serious law enforcement and the unwillingness of local authorities to protect Christians leave them vulnerable to attacks, especially in Upper Egypt. In addition, due to the authoritarian nature of government administration, it is futile for Church leaders or other Christians to speak out against these practices."

The Open Doors report explained that Christians find it hard to establish churches and places of worship, despite an increasing number of churches being legalized through official registration.

"Despite Egypt's status as a cultural and historical giant in Africa, it remains an ongoing struggle for many believers," said Lizzie Francis Brink, legal counsel for Global Religious Freedom with ADF International, in an earlier statement.

"While Article 64 of the Egyptian Constitution guarantees 'absolute' freedom of religion or belief, this right is restricted in practice. Only followers of the three recognized 'heavenly religions' — Islam, Christianity, and Judaism — can legally practice their faith and build houses of worship publicly," she said.

Despite Egypt's constitutional guarantees, Christians and other minority faith groups continue to face restrictions on their religious freedom. Discriminatory laws and practices limit the ability of Christians, Shia Muslims, Ahmadis, and other non-Sunni or non-state-recognized communities to freely express and practice their beliefs, the report noted.

"Recognizing Easter as a public holiday is essential because it removes a significant barrier for millions of Egyptian Christians who currently must choose between their faith and their work or education," said Haytham Ereifej, attorney and representative of ADF International in the Middle East.

He added that this change would uphold their constitutional and international rights, ensuring equal treatment and respect for religious freedom across Egypt.