Naguib Gabriel, head of the Egyptian Union for Human Rights, praised the visit of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to the cathedral to congratulate the Copts on Christmas.

Dr. Amin Lotfi, President of the University of Beni Suef, visited churches and monasteries of the province of Beni Suef, with a delegation from professors of the university, to congratulate the Copts on Christmas.

Dr. Mansour Kabash, President of the University of Aswan and Dr. Nady Kamal, the Vice President, have visited the Coptic Orthodox Bishopric at Aswan to congratulate the Copts of Christmas.

Dr. Shawki Allam, Egypt’s Mufti, said that the renewal of religious discourse means to take from the fundamentals of Islam what fits our time.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of Saint Mark See, received today at the papal residence the Grand Imam Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar, Dr. Shawki Allam, Mufti of the Republic, Dr. Mohamed Mukhtar Gomaa, Minister of Awqaf, who came to congratulate him on Christmas.

Magdy Malak, Coptic man working in Libya, said in his interview with Copts United that Coptic Christians in Libya are in great danger and demand airlift to return them.

Unknown masked men have opened fire on a car of the priest of St. Mary and St. Karas in Mallawi. The attackers have cut the road and shot his car before he could escape, without injuries. Police were reported and the matter is still under investigation.

Coptic Orthodox Church announced that Father Matthias, Patriarch of Ethiopia, will visit Egypt next Saturday at the head of a delegation from the Ethiopian Church for six days.

Families of the 20 kidnapped Copts in Libya decided to demonstrate in front of the Ministry of foreign affairs demanding greater attention by the government to return their sons.

Mohamed Ibrahim, Egypt’s Interior Minister, sent a congratulatory message to Pope Tawadros II and Rev. Dr. Safwat Bayadi wishing them a Happy New Year and Merry Christmas.

Abba Paula, bishop of Tanta, said that Copts are committing suicide when they travel to Libya, even for work. He said that both Egypt and Libya are not able to secure the Copts in Libya with the state of chaos there.

Ambassador Badr Abdul Ati, spokesperson of ministry of foreign affairs, met with families of the kidnapped Copts in Libya.

Masked gunmen in central Libya kidnapped 13 Coptic Christians on Saturday after seven were abducted days earlier, said a witness and a priest, in a new wave of assaults against Egypt’s Christians working in the war-torn North African nation plagued with Islamic extremists.

Libyan authorities detained an Egyptian fishing boat in the city of Benghazi and arrested 14 fishermen on board, accusing them of breaking into international waters without permission.

Abdul Hakim Mohammed, the father of Young businessman who was killed at Obor, East Cairo after exchanging 2 million LE from the bank, accused the bank crew of being responsible for such crime.

Major General Tariq Gazar, Suez Security Chief, visited the churches of Suez to check the security services as well as to congratulate the Copts on the new year.

The Egyptian Armed Forces issued a statement to congratulate the Egyptian people on Christmas and the New Year.

Extremists in Libya continued their brutal attacks against Egyptians in Libya, a few hours after killing a Coptic doctor and his wife and daughter.

Maspero Youth Union celebrated the fourth anniversary of Maspero martyrs considering them one key to liberate the country and ignite the revolution.

Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of St. Mark See, visits Luxor next February. Source in the church said that such visit was postponed from earlier. The Pope will also hold meeting with priests of the diocese and the congregation.

The terrorist organization of the Muslim Brotherhood planned to disturb the Egyptians celebrating the year new by blowing up electricity utility next to St. Mary Church in Fayyoum.