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Even at the downtown church, where church life retains a traditional look and feel for new converts, the now-retired leader typically encourages them to keep their new faith secret.

"One reason is that new life in Christ leaves its effects on their families," he said. "When the family discovers that the daughter or the son has become a Christian, they do not have much to say against Christianity. Second, they will have a time to build up their faith. Before they get into trouble, they have a good foundation."

For Mohammed Hegazy and his wife, Zeinab (also a convert from Islam), these debates over conversion are far from academic. Unless the couple receives Christian identity cards, the government will consider their newborn daughter Islamic. Hegazy has received multiple death threats, including a public one from his father. The couple lives in hiding right now.

"I put my trust in God. This is my duty to myself, my family, all Muslims who converted to Christianity, and all Christians," he told Compass Direct News. Hegazy anticipates filing an appeal of his case or, if necessary, starting a new one.

Timothy C. Morgan is CT's deputy managing editor.

Copyright © 2008 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Other news on Egypt is available in our full-coverage section.

The court ruled against allowing Mohammed Hegazy to change his religious identity on paperwork in January.

Compass Direct reports on other Egyptians who have legal problems after conversion.

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April 2008, Vol. 52, No. 4