Authorities have beefed up security in preparation for celebrations of the Holy Family's journey, or Moulid al-Adra, to be held in Samallout, Minya.
The celebration starts in the second half of May and continues for a week, with more than one million Christian and Muslim participants from Egypt and the world.
Police and army forces will jointly secure the festivities. Mamdouh Maqald, Minya security chief, dispatched 200 policemen, and the armed forces is supplying armored vehicles and personnel.
A senior Coptic official said this year's festivities include forums, cultural and religious discussions, and debates on the Egyptian revolution.
The governorate, meanwhile, is providing supplies of bread, butane cylinders and ambulances, and cleaning and other services. It will also set up a committee to follow up on the celebration.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
