Free Saeed Abu Mustafa – A Prisoner of Conscience in Egypt

To:
 • U.S. Department of State
 • United Nations Human Rights Council
 • Amnesty International
 • Human Rights Watch
 • U.S. Senators and Representatives
 • Faith and human rights communities across the United States and the world

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Background

Saeed Mansour Rizq Abdul Raziq, known publicly as Saeed Abu Mustafa, is a 30-year-old Egyptian man who made a deeply personal and courageous decision: to convert from Islam to Christianity.

His journey began in 2016 when, after years of private study and searching for spiritual truth, he declared, “I want to remain a Christian.” Rejected by mainstream churches in Egypt, he found refuge in the Russian Coptic Church. What followed was a relentless campaign of harassment, rejection, and psychological persecution—not only from society and his family, but from Egypt’s national security forces.

Saeed attempted to flee Egypt in 2018, was initially blocked, interrogated and humiliated, but ultimately succeeded. He lived in Russia, applying for asylum. But during that time, some of his expressions critical of his former religion angered many, leading to his imprisonment there and eventually his forced deportation back to Egypt in 2024.

Though initially released upon his return, he was warned by Egyptian authorities to live silently, hide his faith, and avoid any form of religious expression. For over a year, Saeed lived under constant fear, surveillance, and social isolation.

His only “crime”? Choosing to follow his conscience.

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The Arrest

In July 2025, Saeed took a bold step to assert his legal rights by filing a case to formally change his religion on Egyptian identity documents. Days later, on July 15, 2025, he was arrested by national security in the Matariya district of Cairo.

Instead of being treated as a citizen exercising his constitutional rights, Saeed was charged with terrorism-related offenses, including:
 • Joining a terrorist organization
 • Spreading false information
 • Threatening public peace

These charges are baseless, dangerous, and politically motivated.

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Why This Matters

Freedom of religion is a human right.
Freedom of conscience is a human right.
Saeed Abu Mustafa is being punished for seeking legal recognition of his faith.

This is not just a case about one man. It’s a clear test of Egypt’s commitment to human rights—and of the world’s willingness to defend them.

If changing your religion is met with imprisonment, isolation, and intimidation, then no citizen is free.

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We Demand:
 1. The immediate and unconditional release of Saeed Abu Mustafa
 2. An independent investigation into his treatment in custody and all charges against him
 3. The U.S. government and international community to speak out clearly in defense of religious freedom in Egypt
 4. Protection for Egyptian citizens of all faiths who peacefully seek to change their religion or belief
 5. The ability for people like Saeed to live openly, safely, and honestly in their country of birth

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✊ Join Us

We ask all people of conscience to stand with Saeed Abu Mustafa and demand justice.

📢 Sign.
🗣️ Share.
🙏 Pray.
✍️ Write your representative.

Let us show that faith is never a crime and that freedom of belief must be protected, everywhere.