By Coptic Solidarity –
A Minor’s Disappearance, Religious Conversion Controversy, and Official Silence
Silvana Atef, a minor from Fayoum, Egypt, continues to be at the center of a growing controversy, especially following the circulation of a video in which she appeared seated with an unfamiliar family and spoke about changing her religion. Because she is under the age of eighteen, she does not have the legal capacity to alter her religious status under Egyptian law.
According to her lawyer, Magdy Younan, the Tamiya Prosecution ordered that Silvana be placed in a social care institution under the Ministry of Social Solidarity. The decision reportedly followed public concern over the video, which included remarks insulting Christians. In the recording, a woman standing behind the camera referred to Christians as kuffar (“infidels”), raising more fears of coercion and sectarian incitement.
However, when the family and their lawyer attempted to visit the care institution where she was allegedly placed, they were reportedly told that the facility had no record of her presence. They were further informed that the institution does not accept Christian residents. The family has since contacted multiple authorities seeking confirmation of her whereabouts and has requested that she be returned to her family or transferred to a Christian-affiliated care home.
The case is further complicated by medical documentation indicating that Silvana is on the autism spectrum and enrolled in inclusive education, raising concerns about her vulnerability and capacity to fully understand the implications of religious conversion. Reports also suggest that a young man has influenced her decision to leave her family.
Key concerns remain unresolved: Why has the location of a minor under prosecutorial order not been clearly disclosed? Why has she not been returned to her legal guardians? Why have those responsible for broadcasting potentially inciteful material not been held accountable?
The family has submitted urgent appeals to the Presidency and the Ministry of Social Solidarity requesting clarification. They fear that silence may persist until Silvana reaches eighteen next March, at which point she would legally be able to change her religion.
On February 15, family members staged a peaceful, silent, protest in front of the Prosecutor General’s office to demand transparency. Several family members were detained. While the mother and other females were later released, others, including Silana’s uncles, remained under detention till next day’s evening.
At its core, the case raises serious questions about due process, the protection of minors, religious freedom, and equal treatment under the law in Egypt.
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Sources of information:
/أين-سلفانا-عاطف؟-صرخة-أم-تبحث-عن-ابنتها , and social media
