Four Christian Teenagers Who 'Insulted' Muslim Prophet Sentenced to Five Years in Egyptian Prison

Egypt
An Egyptian court sentenced four Coptic Christian teens up to five years in prison for insulting Islam. This conviction is the latest in a series of high-profile blasphemy convictions by Egypt's judicial system, which has drawn criticism from other countries. AP photo

Four Coptic Christian teenagers who allegedly insulted the Muslim prophet Mohammed have been sentenced to five years in prison by an Egyptian court.

The New York Times reports that the teenagers were convicted in Minya, a province south of Cairo, where they had been accused of filming a 32-second video in which they mocked the Muslim mode of prayer, said their lawyer, Maher Naguib.

In the video, the students are shown pretending to pray and recite verses from the Quran, with one kneeling on the floor while others stand behind him, laughing. Later, one of them is seen making a sign with his thumb to indicate the beheading of the one who is kneeling.

The video was reportedly filmed by the student's' teacher to mock ISIS, the group that beheaded 21 Coptic Christians in Libya last year. The said teacher, who is also a Christian, was sentenced to three years in prison for insulting Islam in a separate trial.

Naquib told the news outlet that the teenagers had not intended to insult Islam, but merely to make fun of the numerous beheadings carried out by the extremist group.

"It is unbelievable. The judge didn't show any mercy. He handed down the maximum punishment,'' Naguib told Agence France Presse (AFP), according to Fox News.

Iman Girgis, a mother of one of the convicted students, 16-year-old Moller Atef, told the AP, "My son was sentenced to five years for laughing. Is that possible?" "What kind of justice is this?"

Coptic Christians are members of Egypt's ancient Christian church which traces its roots to the Apostle Mark, centuries before Islam entered the country. The group makes up about 10 percent of Egypt's 90 million people, and have for decades complained of discrimination.

The Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms, an independent rights group, said ahead of the ruling there was a return "of using contempt of religion as accusations against writers and religious minorities".

Another rights group, the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, said that between 2011 and 2013, 42 defendants were tried in similar cases and of them 27 were convicted, the AP reports.

In 2014, a Coptic Christian teacher was jailed for six months after parents of her students accused her of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and of insulting Islam. A short time later, a Coptic Christian man was sentenced to six years for insulting Islam, after posting a picture of Prophet Mohammed on his Facebook page with an insulting comment.

Speaking to the AP, Naguib said he feared that the growing atmosphere of intolerance in the country could hurt his client's chances of a successful appeal.

"How can we be optimistic in a climate where everything is taken so sensitively?" he lamented.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.