Controversial Egyptian preacher to face trial for ‘insulting Christianity’

Islamic scholar and preacher Mabrouk Attia, known for his controversial views, is scheduled to stand trial before an Egyptian court on 21 September for allegedly insulting the Christian faith, local news outlets reported.

Prominent Coptic Christian lawyer Naguib Gabriel had earlier filed a lawsuit before a Cairo misdemeanour court, accusing him of ‘contempt of religion’ based on statements he made in a video Attia released recently on social media on Jesus Christ deemed offensive to both Christians and Muslims, the reports added.  

The video in question was a response to another by contentious journalist and TV host Ibrahim Eissa dating back to 2016 but was re-posted recently about the values in Jesus Christ’s ‘Semon on the Mount.’

In his video, Attia mocked Christ saying he is not a ‘sayyed’ (venerated leader) as Muslims refer to him, criticising Eissa for hailing a Christian sermon whose teachings are already present in the holy Quran. 

After being slammed, Attia posted a new video in which he claimed that what he said was a 'slip of the tongue.’

“God forbid that someone like me mocks a prophet,” Attia said.

Attia’s statements sent shockwaves on social media with the hashtag: “Trial of Mabrouk Attia” trending for days now.

Both Gabriel and Attia could not be reached for comment at the time of publishing.

Earlier in June, Attia released a video, calling on women to "cover up fully" or else "meet the same fate" as Naira Ashraf, the victim of a murder by her classmate outside the university campus.

Attia’s remarks sangered women and their allies, leading Attia to quit social media until the most recent appearance.