In an increasingly interconnected world, the news of a Christian convert from Islam, accused of terrorism and tortured, deeply challenges us. While in some Western countries gestures of openness toward Islam multiply—such as bishops wishing a blessed Ramadan or parishes offering spaces for Muslim prayer—in other parts of the world, Christian faith is paid for with imprisonment and violence. This contrast cannot leave us indifferent.
As a Christian community, we are called to engage in interfaith dialogue with respect and charity, but also not to forget our brothers and sisters who suffer because of their faith. The Church, from its earliest centuries, has known martyrdom. Today, according to organizations like Open Doors, over 360 million Christians worldwide live under persecution.
Authentic Dialogue Does Not Silence Truth
Interfaith dialogue is a valuable commitment desired by the Second Vatican Council and carried forward by many pastors. However, a dialogue that does not acknowledge differences and difficulties risks becoming superficial. Jesus himself taught us to love our neighbor, but also not to hide the truth:
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first” (John 15:18, NIV).
It is not about closing ourselves off from encounter with others, but about doing so with wisdom, without naivety. The Lord calls us to be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). In many Muslim-majority countries, conversion to Christianity is considered a crime punishable by death. This is not a detail to overlook in dialogue.
The Situation in Egypt and the Islamic World
Egypt is often considered a secular and moderate country, but the reality for Coptic Christians is complex. Episodes of sectarian violence, discrimination, and restrictions on religious freedom are frequent. Said, the Christian convert mentioned in the original article, is just one of many. His story reminds us that faith can come at a very high cost.
According to the 2025 report of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, many Islamic countries do not guarantee the freedom to change religion. In some, apostasy is punishable by death. This does not justify generalizations about Islam, but it demands an honest assessment of local situations.
The Responsibility of the Church and Western Christians
As Christians in the West, we have a duty to raise our voices for those who have no voice. Silence can be complicity. St. Paul exhorts us: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15). Solidarity is not only spiritual but also practical: we can pray, raise awareness in our communities, and support organizations that help persecuted Christians.
At the same time, we must not fall into attitudes of hostility toward Muslims living among us. Many are immigrants seeking a better life and often share values of family and faith. Sincere dialogue requires distinguishing between Islam as a religion and the extremist interpretations made of it.
Dialogue Initiatives That Respect Truth
There are positive examples of interfaith dialogue that do not hide difficulties. In some dioceses, Christians and Muslims meet to get to know each other better, pray for peace, and collaborate in works of charity. But these initiatives must never lead to denying one’s own identity or minimizing persecutions.
Pope Francis, during his pontificate, repeatedly emphasized the importance of dialogue but also denounced persecutions. After his passing, Pope Leo XIV has continued along this path, reiterating that religious freedom is a fundamental right. In his encyclical
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