CAIRO- President Abdel Fattah El Sisi Saturday asserted that national unity is the cornerstone of development and progress, calling for rallying efforts throughout the current phases of upgrade and construction towards building a bright future for the upcoming generations.
The coherent social fabric of the great Egyptian people represents a protective shield and bulwark safeguarding it, the president said in a cable he sent to Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark Diocese to greet him on the eastern Christmas.
The president wished the Pope and all Egyptian Christians a Merry Christmas, and Egypt continued development and prosperity.
In his cable to the pontiff, Sisi praised strong ties binding the Muslims and Copts of Egypt, noting that the national unity is a key pillar on which development and progress are based.
He made clear that the nation at this stage requires rallying efforts of all sons to build a better and bright future.
He hoped that all aspirations of Egyptian Copts are materialized.
The president also expressed his greetings to Egyptian Copts living abroad on the same occasion.
Coptic Christmas is celebrated by some Orthodox Christians on the 7th of January every year and is different from the worldwide Christmas celebration held on 25th of December. The date is set by the Julian calendar that pre-dates the Gregorian calendar used by other Christians.