FILE - An Egyptian Catholic woman lights candle during a mass on Christmas eve at Saint Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in the capital of Cairo, Egypt December 24120 churches, affiliated buildings nationwide licensed by gov't CAIRO - 17 October 2018: The Egyptian cabinet has approved the licensing of 76 churches and 44 affiliated buildings per a 2016 law in a major wave of legalization of Christian venues. Lawyers of the churches requested licenses for the 120 religious buildings after the law was approved. 53 churches to be legalized and re-opened for rites practicing CAIRO - 26 February 2018: Some 53 churches around the country are set to be legalized by the government during the coming period, according to a statement issued on Monday, February 26, by Egypt's Cabinet. The committee is allowed to summon whomever of the Cabinet’s officials to its meetings.On Monday, The committee concerned with legalizing unlicensed churches announced legalizing 80 churches and church-affiliated service buildings.Approving licensing the churches came at a meeting on Monday headed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly. These conditions include meeting the requirements for civil protection within a period of four months, as well as fulfilling all the state's rights regarding the rationing of land on which such buildings are built.The approval may be withdrawn if civil protection facilities are not finished in four months.

Source: Egypt Today December 31, 2018 15:58 UTC