Egypt joins Geneva negotiations on Global Plastics Treaty, calls for urgent agreement    Egypt delivers over 30 million health services through public hospitals in H1 2025    Madinet Masr in talks for three land plots in Riyadh as part of Saudi expansion    Egypt's PM tells Palestinian PM that Rafah crossing is working 24/7 for aid    Egypt, Japan discuss economic ties, preparations for TICAD conference    Real Estate Developers urge flexible land pricing, streamlined licensing, and dollar-based transactions    Egypt's Sisi pledges full state support for telecoms, tech investment    EGP inches down vs. USD at Sunday's trading close    EGX launches 1st phone app    Escalation in Gaza, West Bank as Israeli strikes continue amid mounting international criticism    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt, UNDP discuss outcomes of joint projects, future environmental cooperation    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    After Putin summit, Trump says peace deal is best way to end Ukraine war    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Jordan condemns Israeli PM remarks on 'Greater Israel'    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt's govt. issues licensing controls for used cooking oil activities    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Egypt's Sisi: Egypt is gateway for aid to Gaza, not displacement    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Al-Sisi gives speech in Christmas mass in Abasseya cathedral
Published in Daily News Egypt on 07 - 01 - 2015

President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi visited the Orthodox Cathedral in Abasseya Tuesday night during the Christmas mass, the first time an Egyptian head of state participated in a Christmas ceremony. Al-Sisi delivered his speech amid chants from the mass attendees.
Al-Sisi arrived to the cathedral several hours before midnight, interrupting the mass and giving a speech to the attendees. "It was necessary to come and tell you Merry Christmas!" he told the worshippers.
Officials have participated in masses before, though they have never interrupted the services or given any speeches. "It's very important to tell the world during the ongoing circumstances that we are united Egyptians, without any classifications," said Al-Sisi.
The speech witnessed a warm welcome, intense clapping, and chanting from the attendees, with some saying "We love you Al-Sisi!" and "One hand!" in the presence of Pope Tawadros II.
Responses to the president's speech varied within the Christian community. Tony Sabry, a Coptic activist said: "It's a very smart and nice gesture from Al-Sisi to get more Christians on his side."
Yet, Sabry called the interruption of the mass "inappropriate", and noted that "it never happened before".
Maspero Youth Coalition, a group formed in 2011 following the Maspero attack, said that the president's visit affirms the concept of citizenship in Egypt. However, the prayers should not be interrupted under any circumstances.
However, many other Christians expressed their joy with the visit on social media, denoting Al-Sisi was a guest who honoured their house, and the visit is a positive indication to the future of the country.
In Monday night statements, Pope Tawadros told state-run television: "President Al-Sisi is a person we all love and we see seriousness in him, as we works hard as a soldier and human being with a clear vision."
He also added that the 30 June uprising was a move of union and victory for all Egyptians.
However, the Pope had said in November 2012: "The most important thing about masses is the discipline, attendance in the church is all about being disciplined; clapping in churches is banned."That decision was made during Tawadros's very first meeting with the Holy Council, after his appointment in November 2012. The national awareness committee for Copts issued a statement in May 2013 in support of the decision, saying the chants during prayers is disrespectful to the mass.
During the Christmas 2012 mass, the then-ruling Supreme Council of Armed Forces attended the mass in the cathedral. As soon as Pope Shenouda III welcomed them, loud chants were heard by the attendees, saying "down with the SCAF!"
The chants were triggered by an attack that took place several months earlier in front of state-run television Maspero. The Maspero demonstration, which followed several attacks on churches and which heavily featured Copts, was dispersed by military and police forces, leaving 28 dead and over 200 injured
Several attacks have targeted Coptic places of worship across Upper Egypt and North Sinai, in addition to the systematic abductions at the hands of extremists since 2011 to date.
Fady Youssef, head of the Egypt's Copts Coalition, said: "Kidnappings of this kind have been taking place since the beginning of the revolution; with the families usually resorting to paying the ransom, as they do not find the security measures taken by the police efficient enough."
Meanwhile, Ministry of Interior spokesman Hany Abdel Latif said on Sunday that "high" security measures will be taken around churches during New Year's Eve and the Eastern Christmas services. Abdel Latif told Daily News Egypt that the ministry will deploy both stationary and mobile patrols in addition to other security measures to secure churches during services.


Clic here to read the story from its source.