President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has attended the Coptic Christmas celebration on Monday evening at the Cathedral of Nativity of Christ in the New Administrative Capital (NAC).

Upon his arrival, President El-Sisi was welcomed and received by Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, who led the Christmas mass.

A number of top state officials, ministers, representatives of Azhar, governors, MPs, and public figures have attended the event.

Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark led the Christmas mass Monday evening at the Cathedral of Nativity of Christ in the New Administrative Capital (NAC).

During the celebrations of the Coptic Christmas this year at the Cathedral of Nativity of Christ in the New Administrative Capital (NAC), President Abdel Fattah El Sisi wished the Coptic Christians a Merry Christmas and assured the Egyptians that his administration is dealing with all matters wisely.

Just hours before his attendance, the Egyptian Presidency issued a statement, saying that President El-Sisi extended his greetings to the Egyptian Copts on the occasion of celebrating Christmas, asserting that Egypt will always remain a beacon of coexistence, unity, and love among its people of various religions.

The text of the statement

“The great people of Egypt,

The Coptic brothers and sisters,

I am pleased to extend my heartfelt greetings to you on the occasion of the blessed Coptic Christmas.

Our celebration together of the birth of Jesus Christ, peace be upon him, is a manifestation of the values of tolerance, fraternity, and unity of national fabric, which have always been an integral part of our country's history and shaped an authentic feature of the Egyptian character. Egypt will always remain a beacon of coexistence, unity, and love among its people of various religions, under the honor of belonging to this cherished nation.

Many happy returns. I ask Allah, the Almighty, to return this occasion to you and our beloved Egypt with enduring goodness, blessings, and prosperity.”

Today also, President El-Sisi on Monday set a cable of greetings to Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark to greet him on the Christmas.

In the cable, president Sisi extended sincere Christmas greetings to the pontiff, wishing a prosperous future for Egypt and its people.

About the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ

The Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ is a Coptic Orthodox cathedral in the New Administrative Capital, Egypt, some 45 km east of Cairo. It was commissioned by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and inaugurated on January, 6, 2019, by him and Pope Tawadros. It is the largest church in the Middle East, and the largest Oriental Orthodox church in the world by area.