Are there really three million atheists in Egypt?

Up to three million Egyptians are atheists claims a Cairo-based newspaper, as reports highlight the difficulties in openly choosing to follow no religion in Egypt.

The al-Sabah newspaper claims a significant proportion of Egypt's 84m population have no religion, citing an unnamed US survey. It says extremist preachers are "frightening people away from any heavenly religion". The newspaper says that while numbers rose during the Muslim Brotherhood's rule, swelling ranks of atheists will have no effect on the influence of Islam or Christianity in the country. According to a report by al-Jazeera, one informal group of atheists has about 100 members. One says the 2011 revolution has been a mixed blessing for atheists. "It gave you more space. You can speak your mind more," he tells al-Jazeera - but insists on using an assumed name in their report.

Precise numbers of atheists are hard to come by as irreligion remains a taboo subject in a country where citizens are loathe to express their lack of faith in public. A 2010 survey by Pew Global showed a sizeable majority in favour of the death penalty for those who leave the Muslim religion. A poll by Gallup the previous year called Egypt the world's most religious country - 100% of respondents said they belonged to one faith or another. Islam remains by far the most widespread religion in Egypt, and there is a sizeable Christian minority. Egyptian law allows for a six-year prison term for offending religion in any form. A university student in Ismailia was placed under investigation in October for creating a Facebook page promoting atheism.

BBC
Egypt security investigates student for forming 'athiest' Facebook group

This is surprising to me that they think there are that many atheists in Egypt. The numbers could be embellished or they could be under reported. It must be pretty hard being a non-believer in that country but throughout history non-believers have had to hide the fact they don’t buy into the supernatural mumbo jumbo. In another hundred years maybe the whole world can be free of the controls called religion or at least be free to be honest about your nonbelief without having to worry about imprisonment or worse but there is still a ways to go especially in the Middle East.

There are 85 million people in Egypt and if 3 million are atheist its only 3.5% . Totally possible.

Grimpachi

Up to three million Egyptians are atheists claims a Cairo-based newspaper, as reports highlight the difficulties in openly choosing to follow no religion in Egypt.



Precise numbers of atheists are hard to come by as irreligion remains a taboo subject in a country where citizens are loathe to express their lack of faith in public. A 2010 survey by Pew Global showed a sizeable majority in favour of the death penalty for those who leave the Muslim religion. A poll by Gallup the previous year called Egypt the world's most religious country - 100% of respondents said they belonged to one faith or another. Islam remains by far the most widespread religion in Egypt, and there is a sizeable Christian minority. Egyptian law allows for a six-year prison term for offending religion in any form. A university student in Ismailia was placed under investigation in October for creating a Facebook page promoting atheism.

BBC
Egypt security investigates student for forming 'athiest' Facebook group

This is surprising to me that they think there are that many atheists in Egypt. The numbers could be embellished or they could be under reported. It must be pretty hard being a non-believer in that country but throughout history non-believers have had to hide the fact they don’t buy into the supernatural mumbo jumbo. In another hundred years maybe the whole world can be free of the controls called religion or at least be free to be honest about your nonbelief without having to worry about imprisonment or worse but there is still a ways to go especially in the Middle East.

I believe there is a slight mistake in terminology in this report.

Believing in god and at the same time rejecting a organized religion is not Atheism its Deism.
en.wikipedia.org...

They may believe in Islam and god but not believe in the sect(Sunni, Shia, Sufis) that they were born into.
They would be called a Muslim deist or Non-denominational Muslims. But this if practiced openly could get you killed in a country like Egypt.
To a member of a Muslim sect these people are Atheist,
But many believe in the old testament and the Qur'an as they read it, Not as they are told by the leaders of the sects.

I am a Christian Deist and have talked to a number of Muslim deist that have left there home country and live in the US. and no longer believe in a sect of Islam because of the violence between sects and other religions,

By the way there are more Christian Deist in the US then any organized christian sect. but many don't even know they are Christian Deist.
en.wikipedia.org...