Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Egypt
Religion or Belief: Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light
Date of Detainment: March//2025
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Mahmoud Ibrahim Mahmoud Al-Sharnouby
Extra Bio Info:
Mahmoud Ibrahim Mahmoud Al-Sharnouby is detained for his religious association.
In March 2025, Egyptian authorities detained Al-Sharnouby along with over a dozen members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light after one member hung a banner displaying a religious symbol on a pedestrian bridge. Authorities charged him with membership in a banned group and confined him in the 10th Ramadan prison after denying him legal counsel.
In December 2025, sheikhs from the state-backed Al-Azhar attempted to coerce Al-Sharnouby to renounce his faith. Egyptian authorities beat him severely during detention.
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Egypt
Religion or Belief: Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light
Reports of Torture: Yes
Date of Detainment: March//2025
Current Status: Not Released
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Fadi Mohammed Hassan Mohammed Al-Nahhas
Extra Bio Info:
Fadi Mohammed Hassan Mohammed Al-Nahhas is detained for his religious association.
In March 2025, Egyptian authorities detained Al-Nahhas along with over a dozen members of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light after one member hung a banner with a religious symbol on a pedestrian bridge. Authorities charged Al-Nahhas with membership in a banned group and confined him in the 10th Ramadan prison.
In December 2025, sheikhs from the state-backed Al-Azhar attempted to coerce Al-Nahhas to renounce his faith. Authorities denied Al-Nahhas access to legal counsel, beat him severely, and tortured him.
Jan 23, 2026
For decades, the Lautenberg-Specter program has provided a pathway for members of oppressed religious groups, including Christians, Jews, and Baha’is, with close family ties to the United States to escape persecution in Iran and the former Soviet states. By offering refuge to those fleeing religious persecution, the Lautenberg-Specter program underscores our nation’s leadership in defending religious freedom.
On this episode of the USCIRF Spotlight Podcast, Chair Vicky Hartzler speaks with Mark Hetfield, President of HIAS, about the Lautenberg-Specter program.