Christian World | ADF International says six Christians aged 17 to 23 remain jailed in Egypt's Minya governorate over a TikTok clip recreating a scene from a comedy film.

ACW | October 26, 2026 — The legal group ADF International says six young Christians aged 17 to 23 are in jail in Egypt's Minya governorate on charges of insulting Islam after recreating a scene from a comedy film on TikTok.

In a statement dated October 22, ADF said the video was posted on October 4. The six were handed to police for questioning on October 6 on the understanding that they would be freed once tensions in their village eased, ADF said, but "they still remain in jail."

The Christian Post reported on October 24 that prosecutors began questioning the men on October 10 and ordered four days' detention, and that a judge added 15 days the next day. Case No. 8430 of 2026 is with the Supreme State Security Prosecution, which said the video mocked Muslim prayer, the outlet reported.

The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) called for their immediate release, the Christian Post said. EIPR said the same scene and soundtrack appear in hundreds of TikTok videos, that a comedy clip gives no legal grounds for detention, and that the arrests inflame Muslim-Christian tensions in the village. "Christians should never have to fear punishment for sharing a post," said Kelsey Zorzi, ADF International's vice president of international advocacy. The reports seen by ACW include no official response from Egyptian authorities.

Background: ADF says "Christian persecution has been a persistent problem in Egypt for many years." According to the Christian Post, EIPR has recorded at least 111 people targeted for voicing religious views.

Why it matters: EIPR's count of 111 cases points to repeated use of "insulting religion" charges to restrict freedom of religion or belief in Egypt; the youngest of the six is under 18.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Sources: ADF International — Egypt arrests six young Christian men over TikTok video deemed offensive; The Christian Post — 6 Christians arrested in Egypt over TikTok video

Photo: ADF International (illustrative)