[Today's Prayer] Egyptian Convert to Christianity Faces Death Penalty; Fiancée Appeals to the United States and the Netherlands for His Release

The fiancée of a man facing the death penalty in Egypt after converting from Islam to Christianity has called on the governments of the United States and the Netherlands to intervene internationally to secure his release.

Sophia (surname withheld), who holds dual Australian and Egyptian citizenship, recently spoke in an interview with the British newspaper The Jerusalem Post, requesting that the Dutch government engage in diplomatic negotiations to secure the release of her fiancé, Saeed Mansour Rizk Abdelaziz, who is imprisoned in Egypt.

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She also urged the United States government to make its approximately $1.5 billion in annual aid to Egypt conditional upon Abdelaziz's release and improvements in the treatment of religious minorities.

Following a trial held on November 3, Abdelaziz's lawyer, Saeed Fayez, stated in a press release that prosecutors intend to seek either the death penalty or a prison sentence of up to 25 years. The defense's final arguments are scheduled for December 8.

According to Coptic Solidarity, an organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., Abdelaziz has been charged with joining an illegal terrorist organization, insulting Islam, spreading false information, and disturbing public order. Among these charges, membership in a terrorist organization carries the possibility of the death penalty.

However, lawyer Fayez argued that the organization Abdelaziz is accused of joining does not actually exist. He claimed that the real reason behind the trial is that his client "refused to deny Jesus."

Sophia also pointed out that Egyptian authorities have not even disclosed the name of the alleged organization. She claimed that more than 180 Christians are being detained in Egypt on similar charges.

Abdelaziz was arrested by police on July 15, 2025, in the Matariya district of Cairo. According to a letter released by the International Religious Freedom Roundtable, he became a target of the authorities after attempting to have his religion officially listed as Christianity on his identification card.

The letter was sent to Australia's Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration and Citizenship, Tony Burke. It requested that the Australian government grant Abdelaziz humanitarian residency or protected status, call on the Egyptian government to release him, and raise the issue at the United Nations.

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Abdelaziz is currently being held at Egypt's 10th of Ramadan Prison. According to Sophia, his lawyer has only been able to visit him once, last January, and his family has been prohibited from visiting him or delivering food and clothing. Sophia stated that she pays approximately 11,000 Egyptian pounds (around $220) each month to secretly provide him with necessary supplies.

The letter also reported that Abdelaziz is not receiving the medication he needs and that even his lawyers have been unable to access the case records. He reportedly has a history of heart disease and previously underwent a coronary artery stent procedure.

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In 2023, Abdelaziz was arrested on allegations of posting a video showing the desecration of the Quran, the Islamic holy book, and spent one year in prison. He subsequently traveled to Russia, where he applied for asylum and joined the Russian Orthodox Church. However, Russian authorities detained him for 11 months, revoked his refugee protection status, and deported him to Egypt in 2024.

According to Sophia, after returning to Egypt, Abdelaziz was detained again and tortured. Authorities allegedly attempted to remove the cross tattoo on his body and sent Islamic clerics to persuade him to return to Islam. Sophia claimed that he endured prolonged suffering while being tied to a wall.

He was later released under the protection of his family, but this was reportedly conditional upon his returning to Islam. When Abdelaziz refused, the authorities ordered him to receive Islamic religious instruction. Sophia also stated that his brother-in-law would sometimes splash water on his face around 5 a.m. to wake him up for prayer.

Sophia herself has reportedly received death threats online from Egyptian Islamists.

More than 35,000 people have signed Coptic Solidarity's online petition calling for Abdelaziz's release.

In a statement sent to The Jerusalem Post, Coptic Solidarity described the trial as "a critical test that will determine the future of religious freedom in Egypt." The organization warned that if Abdelaziz receives a severe sentence, it could establish a precedent used to justify further prosecutions and punishments against other Christian converts.

Source: Christian Daily Korea

Therefore He is also able to save completely those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

We hear the news that Brother Abdelaziz, who converted to Christianity in Egypt, is now facing the death penalty after becoming a target of the authorities when he attempted to have his religion officially listed as Christianity on his identification card. His fiancée, Sister Sophia, continues to appeal to the United States and the Netherlands for his release.

Good and gracious God, have mercy on Brother Abdelaziz, who is imprisoned in Egypt and suffering physically and mentally while facing the death penalty simply because he believes in Jesus. Have compassion on Sister Sophia, who is appealing to the international community to protect her fiancé. Comfort their broken hearts, and guard and protect their lives and safety.

Furthermore, may the Egyptian authorities, who suppress religious freedom and attempt to force people to abandon their faith, repent. May they become a government that reflects Your righteousness and love and protects the lives and safety of all its citizens. May they deliver fair and just verdicts concerning the unjust prosecutions and punishments targeting Christian converts.

Even as Christians in Egypt continue to face religious oppression and persecution, may they hold firmly to their faith until the end, relying on the love of the living God and Jesus, who intercedes for us before Him. May the local churches unite in worship and prayer and boldly shine the light of salvation amid the deep-rooted darkness of Islam throughout Egypt.

To this end, may churches around the world share in carrying the cross of the local Egyptian church and unite in prayer. May international Christian organizations receive wisdom from God and take meaningful action to secure the release and religious freedom of the more than 180 Christian brothers and sisters currently detained in Egypt and facing the death penalty.

Through this, may Egypt look toward the glory that comes after suffering and become a nation that proclaims the victory of Christ to all nations!