Congratulations and felicitations to Orthodox Christians the world over who celebrate Christmas on 7 January. Coptic Orthodox Christians, too, celebrated Christmas this year with much anticipation and some with trepidation as certain Islamists issued fatwas that Muslims in the country must not express their best wishes to Christians on religious occasions. The apparently unauthorised religious edict caused much consternation in the Coptic community. The kindly and amiable Pope Tawadros II took it all in his stride, and I illustrated him in ponderous mood. He is determined to see peace and prosperity in Egypt, and not just for the country's Christians. We wish him all the very best in his endeavours.