383.0063/9

The Chargé in Egypt (Hare) to the Secretary of State

No. 2077

Sir: I have the honor to enclose a translation of a Bill prohibiting religious propaganda, together with an accompanying explanatory note,32 which is reported to have been signed by King Farouk and to have been referred to Parliament for approval during the present session.

  • Article 1 of the Bill imposes a general prohibition on the carrying on of religious propaganda outside places of worship or the places designated for that purpose.
  • Article 2 provides in respect of schools that pupils shall be neither forced nor allowed to attend classes in which instruction is given regarding a faith other than the pupil’s own; that pupils shall be neither forced nor allowed to join in prayers or attend religious services other than those of their own religion; and that pamphlets shall not be distributed to students setting forth religious principles contrary to their own faith. It is specified that these prohibitions apply to hospitals and charitable institutions as well as to schools.
  • Articles 3 and 4 provide for inspection of institutions by the police in connection with the enforcement of this law and, in addition to such punishment as may be prescribed in the Penal Code, specifies that offenses contravening the provisions of this law shall be punishable by one month’s imprisonment or a fine of L.E. 10 or both.
  • Article 5 specifies a fine of L.E. 100 or imprisonment of one year in the case of persons found attempting to give religious instruction to young persons under eighteen years of age, even with their consent. Similar penalties are prescribed for proselitization by means of giving gifts, intimidation, or by the use of narcotics or hypnotism.
  • Article 6 provides for the enforcement of law by officials of the Ministries of Public Education and Public Health in agreement with the Ministry of the Interior.

The Bill is accompanied by an explanatory note in which it is stated that the Egyptian Constitution proclaims freedom of faith and accords adequate protection for worship within the bounds of public order and public morals, these principles being in conformity with the spirit of tolerance which marks the Moslem faith. In this connection the authorities have facilitated the granting of land for the erection of places of worship for all faiths and have granted facilities to religious organizations for the establishment of schools and hospitals. However, certain organizations have indulged in religious propaganda [Page 496] in a manner which has been offensive to Moslems. Such religious propaganda when practised outside designated places of worship may lead to public disorder, and it is for that reason that the present law was drafted.

A full report on this subject is now under preparation. It was thought advisable, however, to transmit the text of the Bill to the Department in the pouch leaving today in as much as it may be necessary to request telegraphic instructions in the event that the question of possible intervention by the Legation should arise. It may be observed in this connection that Dr. Wendell Cleland, Dean of the Division of Extension of the American University; Rev. John S. Badeau, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences of the American University, and Dr. E. E. Elder of the American Mission, called at the Legation yesterday to express their apprehension of the possible consequences of the passage of this Bill which they feared might be used as a lever to make the lot of American missionary institutions in Egypt so difficult that some or all of them might have to cease operation entirely. They said that similar fears were entertained by British missionary organizations and that the Anglican Bishop in Cairo had taken the matter up with the British Embassy and requested the Ambassador’s intervention with a view to forestalling the passage of the Bill, at least in its present form. The Legation understands, however, that the Embassy has not yet decided what action, if any, it will take in the matter. Needless to say, the Legation will not take this case up with the Egyptian Government except under the Department’s instructions.

Respectfully yours,

Raymond A. Hare
  1. Neither printed.