Blogger: Baha’i Faith in Egypt
Article: Last Day for Paper ID Cards in Egypt
Originaly Posted On: 2007-09-30 17:28:00

While many of us enjoy a state of relative ease and security, there is a segment of the Egyptian population that is in state of fear of the unknown as this day ends and the first of October rolls in.

The Egyptian government has decided that today, 30 September 2007, is the last day on which old paper handwritten ID cards can be used in any official transactions in Egypt. Starting tomorrow every Egyptian citizen must be in possession of the new computerized ID card which also contains a national ID number.

Since the ID card contains a section identifying the religion of its holder, Baha’is of Egypt, thus far, have been unable to obtain the new ID card unless they lie about their religion and enter one of the three approved religions in Egypt (Muslim, Christian or Jewish). Meanwhile the application form required for obtaining ID cards clearly states that any false entries will be punishable by imprisonment and heavy fines.

We can assume that the Baha’is of Egypt would expect one of the following developments in their struggle to survive in their own country as they become non-entity starting tomorrow: a) the deadline will be extended and their paper ID cards will continue to be valid until a solution is reached, b) the government will allow them to leave the religion section vacant, enter Baha’i, insert dashes, or enter “other,” c) the government eliminates religious classification from ID cards altogether, or d) the Baha’is would end up suffering “Civil Death,” meaning that they would have no rights or privileges under Egyptian law, being left jobless, income[less], education[less], etc….

It is now in the hands of President Mubarak to make a decision that will guarantee civil rights and provide protection for his own citizens.