Article 9 of the Egyptian Penal Code explicitly states that the provisions of the law shall in no case override or reduce the personal rights prescribed in Islamic Sharia. This means that in certain matters — particularly those involving family law, inheritance, and some personal status issues — Sharia principles hold a protected position alongside the Penal Code.
For non-Muslim expats, this is most relevant in situations where criminal proceedings intersect with personal or family matters, such as cases involving divorce disputes, custody conflicts, or inheritance disagreements. In purely criminal matters (theft, assault, fraud, etc.), the secular Penal Code generally governs, and your nationality or religion does not exempt you from its provisions.
It is also worth noting that Article 10 establishes that the general principles in Book I of the Penal Code apply across all Egyptian criminal laws and special regulations, giving the Code broad reach. If your case involves any intersection of criminal and personal status law, you should seek legal advice from a lawyer experienced in both Egyptian criminal law and, if relevant, Islamic jurisprudence as applied in Egyptian courts.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. For advice on your specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Egypt.