Egypt’s Ambassador to Belgium Ahmed Abu Zeid attended, on Saturday 11-1-2025, the opening ceremony of a new Coptic church in Bruges, alongside Bishop Arsenios, the Bishop of Holland and overseer of the Coptic Church in the Dutch sector of Belgium.
The ceremony featured the attendance of Bishop “Loud Eyrtes,” the Catholic Bishop of Bruges, priests Moussa Sarour and Abakir Munir, other priests from the Coptic Orthodox Church in Belgium, and Bruges Mayor Dirk De fau, along with several members of the Coptic community.
In his speech, Abu Zeid expressed his joy at the Coptic community’s participation in this significant event, congratulating the religious leaders and attendees on the church’s opening. He reaffirmed the Egyptian state’s commitment to supporting the enlightening role of its religious institutions abroad, including churches in Belgium.
The Egyptian diplomat stressed the Coptic Orthodox Churches’ role as a cultural bridge connecting community members to their homeland while preserving Egyptian heritage and traditions and presenting a positive image of Egypt and its people.
Religious diplomacy is a key aspect of Egypt’s soft power, complementing the official diplomacy conducted by Egyptian missions abroad, he stressed.
The opening ceremony featured a festive atmosphere, with choirs from various Coptic churches in Belgium performing songs in the renowned tourist city of Bruges.
