Podcasts religion Heart and Soul Football and belief for Egypt's Copts

Football and belief for Egypt's Copts

Published: June 28, 2019, 1 p.m.

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Mina Bendary is a good footballer, once thought to be one of the better players in Egypt. As his country hosts the African Cup of Nations, Mina won\\u2019t be involved because, he believes, he is a Coptic Christian.

Egypt are attempting to win AFCON with a team that is made up of Muslims. Perhaps, because Copts only make up only 10% of Egypt\\u2019s population, the lack of Copts in this year\\u2019s squad might be pure coincidence. But Mina says that discrimination against Copts in the country\\u2019s national sport is no secret.

Shaimaa Khalil travels back to her home city of Alexandria to meet Mina, as well as other Christians who tell her of the discrimination they have suffered trying to make it in football. In some cases she hears they have even been told to change their names to something more Muslim sounding.

But the authorities disagree, saying that no one is discriminated against and that if Copts are not making it, that is because they do not have the right attitude.

Presenter: Shaimaa Khalil\\nProduction: Helen Roberts, Moussa Zarif

Image: Shaimaa Khalil/BBC

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