Praying next to the candles and artistic decorations at the Nativity of Christ Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Egypt’s new administrative capital near Cairo (source: Al-Ahram)

President El-Sisi of Egypt and Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II during the Christmas eve mass at the Nativity of Christ Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Egypt’s new administrative capital near Cairo (source: Al-Ahram)

Egypt’s President Elsisi kissing a baby among his greeters during Christmas mass at the Nativity of Christ Coptic Orthodox Church at the New Administrative Capital near Cairo (source: Al-Ahram)

Christmas celebrations at the (under-construction) Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ at Egypt’s New Administrative Capital near Cairo (source: Al-Ahram)

⛪🕯️🎄🇪🇬 President El-Sisi of Egypt and pope Tawadros II of the Egyptian Coptic Orthodox church celebrated Christmas at the new Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, which is located in Cairo’s new administrative capital. The cathedral’s construction is fully funded by donations from the people of Egypt. The Christmas mass was celebrated at the cathedral while opening the first phase of this huge project (this cathedral will be the biggest in the Middle East and Africa after its construction is complete). Construction of the cathedral started in January 2017. The mass was attended by Egyptian politicians, Egyptian celebrities and by the Egyptian citizens from all across the country. President El-Sisi stated that this cathedral is “a message of peace and love from Egypt to the whole world”.

Sources:

• Al-Ahram (English): Article 
• Egypt Today (English): Article 1, Article 2 
• Al-Ahram (Arabic): Article 1, Article 2