Egypt’s largest cathedral and the biggest in the Middle East has just been inaugurated in the new administrative capital east of Cairo. The Cathedral was opened by the President of Egypt Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. The newly built Cathedral of Nativity had its first Mass under heavy security on Sunday, the eve of Coptic Christmas. Copts make up about 10% of Egypt’s Muslim-majority population.
Mr Sisi, who declares himself a defender of Christians against extremists, told worshippers the simultaneous opening of the cathedral and the major Al-Fattah Al-Aleem mosque carried a message of unity. “We are one and we will remain one,” Mr Sisi said as he opened the cathedral, referring to Egyptian Christians and Muslims.
