Egypt Celebrates Coptic Christmas
01/07/2021 Egypt(International Christian Concern) – Today, Egypt’s Coptic Christian community is gathering to celebrate Christmas. Given the history of violent targeted persecution against the Egyptian church, particularly on holidays, it is often time filled with a combination of joy and nervousness. This year, Coptic Christmas falls the day before Friday prayers, which is often the day when attacks against churches and Christian communities occur.
In the weeks leading up to Coptic Christmas, Egypt announced a series of churches that have received legalization. Egypt has banked its international reputation regarding religious freedom issues on church legalization. Hundreds of churches have been legalized since 2016, but thousands remain unrecognized.