ICC Note: Most Egyptian Coptic Christians have tattooed a small cross on the inside of their wrist or finger. This small symbol of their faith can have very large consequences. On the one hand, it brings Christians into closer community with one another. On the other, it means that it is easier for Islamic extremists to identify who are Christian. For example, ISIS in Egypt has a history of searching for Christians based on this tattoo.

03/14/2018 Egypt (World Watch Monitor) –For Egypt’s Coptic Christians, cross tattoos emblazoned on the inside of a wrist are another form of ID. In an overwhelmingly Muslim society, these tattoos create a sense of belonging for Copts at a very young age – some children are taken to the tattoo artist at just a few months old.

Copts have been getting cross tattoos for centuries. Historically, Coptic parents had their children’s wrists tattooed very early, so that if they were killed, their children could be identified as Christians, especially when no other form of ID was available.

They still have a practical function today: cross tattoos can now secure Copts entry to a church, while those without must show ID cards to security personnel. Tattoo artists often check the ID cards of their customers beforehand to avoid any potential abuse.

But having such a tattoo also comes with an element of risk, as a clear display of Christian identity can expose Copts to harassment.

The Christian charity Open Doors International recently visited Egypt and has shared with World Watch Monitor a set of photographs of Coptic Christians with cross tattoos, along with the Copts’ reflections on the significance of their tattoos and, on some occasions, the harassment they have faced because of them.

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For interviews with Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected].