Azhar Grand Imam Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayyeb visited the Coptic Cathedral in Cairo's Abbasiyya on Tuesday, 4 January 2021 (Photo courtesy of the Coptic Orthodox Church)
During the visit, Sheikh El-Tayyeb voiced hope that this new year could bring about more happiness and prosperity to the Egyptian people, asserting that all heavenly messages have several moral commons.
He asserted that greetings in such occasions are part of the Islamic philosophy which places high the human values and calls for maintaining brotherly ties.
Meanwhile, the Awqaf minister asserted that Egypt is a unique example of national unity, adding that such model is a way to establish global peace.
He noted that Egypt is a perfect example for equal citizenship in the rights and duties and will remain united through its people.
Coptic Orthodox Egyptians, who make up 90 percent of the country’s Christian population, celebrate Christmas on 7 January, according to the Julian Calendar.
Thursday 6 January will be a paid day off for public sector workers on the occasion of the Coptic Orthodox Christmas, which falls on 7 January.
The Coptic Orthodox Christmas was designated a national holiday in 2002.
Smaller Christian denominations in Egypt - Catholics, Coptic Catholics, Protestants and Evangelicals - celebrate Christmas on 25 December, according to the Gregorian Calendar.
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