In Defense of Christians urges US action over Egyptian court ruling transferring ownership of Monastery of Saint Catherine to state

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A prominent US-based Christian advocacy organization is calling on the Trump Administration to intervene diplomatically after an Egyptian court ruling transferred ownership of the historic Greek Orthodox Monastery of Saint Catherine in the Sinai to the Egyptian state. 

In Defense of Christians (IDC), which advocates for the protection of Christian and other religious minorities in the Middle East, expressed deep concern over the 18 May decision, describing it as a threat to the monastery’s independence and ancient legal rights. 

Although Egyptian authorities have issued statements assuring that the ruling would not disrupt the monastery’s operations, the decision has raised alarm among Christian leaders and international observers. Critics view it as part of a broader trend of increasing state control over religious institutions in the region, potentially undermining religious freedoms and accelerating the decline of Christian communities. 

Richard Ghazal, IDC’s executive director, labeled the court ruling “unjust” and cautioned that it sets a troubling precedent. 

“We stand in solidarity with the faithful who worship and serve at Saint Catherine’s, and with the entire Greek Orthodox community,” Ghazal said. “The United States must leverage its diplomatic influence to urge the Egyptian government to reverse this decision and uphold the rights of Christian institutions.” 

Ghazal also called on Secretary of State Marco Rubio and members of Congress to directly engage with Egyptian officials. He stressed the importance of safeguarding Saint Catherine’s Monastery and ensuring the religious freedoms of Christian communities across Egypt. 

Situated in the Sinai Peninsula, Saint Catherine’s Monastery is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s oldest continuously operating Christian monasteries. Renowned for its religious, historical, and cultural significance, it has long stood as a symbol of Christian perseverance and interfaith harmony in the Middle East.