President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi joined on Thursday new capital workers for Ramadan's first Sohour, and inaugurated the Islamic Cultural Centre (photo courtesy: the Egyptian presidency)
In his brief statement, the president said "it is important to be together on this great occasion," praising the efforts of workers in the new capital over the past few years.
El-Sisi was accompanied by senior statesmen, including Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry, Al-Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayyeb, and Minister of Religious Endowments Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa.
Following the Sohour, the president inaugurated the Islamic Cultural Centre at the 700-square-kilometre new capital.
El-Sisi was briefed on the centre built in the Government District and comprising Egypt Mosque, which is the world's second largest mosque.
The mosque extends over an area of 19,100 square metres. It has three main entrances surmounted by Islamic domes, and a fourth service entrance.
The mosque can accommodate 107,000 worshippers, including 12,000 in its 9,600-metre main prayer hall, 40,000 in the upper hall, and 55,000 in the lower hall.
The government has started relocating 30,000 public employees to the new capital since the beginning of the year. The step is expected to be completed by April.
The construction of the new capital began in 2015. It is set to house 6.5 million people when completed.
The new capital is located 60km from Cairo, between Cairo-Suez and Cairo-Ain Sokhna roads.
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