Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi congratulated Egypt’s Coptic Christians on the occasion of Eastern Christmas, during his Friday speech at the Nativity of Christ Cathedral in the New Administrative Capital.
Sisi also took the chance to reassure citizens over economic woes.
“I see people in Egypt anxious and afraid. I will not say that this is not justified, but we do not hide anything from you. I talk on every occasion. So don’t give attention to irresponsible people,” he proclaimed.
“Everyone knows as much as his position, from the employee, the manager, until we reach the highest position, meaning that: will someone know more than His Holiness the Pope in the affairs of the Church, of course not.”
Sisi continued: “First, do not be afraid for many reasons, the first of which is that Allah is with us, meaning that Allan will not abandon us, and he is greater than all.”
“And secondly is that we, as a country, are eager to deal with global economic crisis. We are going well, even if we suffer, but we do not worry. There are people who talk a lot without knowledge.”
Sisi noted rumors that the government will sell more state assets, and said: “If we will do something, we will announce it, we will not hide it, and as I am talking to you, I will say .. That if Egypt is tired, will we abandon it?!”
The President added that he greatly appreciates Pope Tawadros II, the Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, pointing out that the Pope said that “Religions are compatible and do not have to conflict.”
He called on all sectors of the Egyptian people to be well aware of the matter, continuing: “We are all one, there is no form of separation between us, this does not work completely.”
Pope Tawadros II presided over the Christmas Mass at the Nativity of Christ Cathedral in the New Administrative Capital.
