Monday will be a public holiday in Egypt to mark Coptic Orthodox Christmas, state news agency MENA reported on Thursday.

Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said 7 January will be a paid holiday for employees of the country’s private and public sectors.

Coptic Orthodox Christians, who make up a substantial majority of all Christians in the country, celebrate Christmas on 7 January, following the Julian calendar.

Christians make up around 10 percent of Egypt’s population.