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 An Egyptian court rejected a request by a man who converted to Christianity from Islam to have his new religion written on his identity card.

Egyptian judges ruled as follows 

‘ Judges said Mohammed Higazi, 25, had not followed the proper legal procedures and in any case people cannot convert “to an older religion.”

“Monotheistic religions were sent by God in chronological order…As a result, it is unusual to go from the latest religion to the one that preceded it.

“The person who has such an attitude is straying from the right path and threatening the principles, values and precepts of Islam and of Egyptian traditions.”

The article continues:

‘Mr. Higazi, who says he converted at the age of 16, hit the headlines in August of last year after going into hiding saying he feared for his life after Islamists said he committed apostasy. ’

National Post, January 30, 2008, page A-15 electronic version