The Loss of Religious Freedom and Diversity in Egypt

Egypt has a long, fascinating and rich religious history, influencing Europe and Asia. Sumerians and Persians both used Egyptian gods , symbols and clothing styles as military adornments and cultural lore.

In the early 20th century there was a reasonable amount of religious tolerance and freedom. Public squares, coffee shops & al-'Azhar University hosted debates between secularists, Muslims and Coptic Christians. They united when faced with challenges - in particular against the British; even Muslim women would deliver speeches at meetings. But that time in history has ended, and Egypt's strict and intolerant forms of Islam became dominant, organized and powerful.

Sociologists Grim & Finke place Egypt into the worst category of religious persecution, along with just 13 other countries.

https://www.humantruth.info/egypt.html section 11: Statistics on Religion and Beliefs in Egypt.

The Waldenses

Some notes on the Waldenses, a pious Christian Catholic movement that wanted to live simply, preaching, and without the abuses-of-power of the Catholic church. They were violently persecuted by the Roman Catholic Church for over 700 years. They still exist in Italy. https://www.humanreligions.info/waldenses.html