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He is one of many in Egypt to face persecution. But having been locked up in a cell commonly used to detain captives awaiting capital punishment, the psychological burden weighing on Bishoy is exceptionally high. He has been maltreated; time and again hit in the face. When he asked to receive communion, his request was denied. So too was his wish to keep a Bible. The story of Bishoy Armeya, the first Egyptian to seek official recognition of conversion to a religion other than Islam, is that of a one-man revolt against state oppression.
Though it was evident from the start that Bishoy stood no chance against Egypt’s monstrous judiciary, in 2007, he petitioned the Egyptian government to change his religion from 'Islam' to 'Christianity' in state records. In Egypt, one’s religious affiliation is registered and noted on ID cards, and while changing it to Islam is permitted, changing it from Islam is regarded as blasphemous and forbidden, leaving many converts and atheists in limbo over their religious identity. Children of converts, too, are forced to take on the label of Muslim, preventing them from attending Christian classes or marrying in church. Bishoy’s case was dealt with in 2008, but Muhammed Husseini, a Cairo court judge, rejected his request, stating “[Mr. Armeya] can believe whatever he wants in his heart, but on paper he can’t convert.”
