Sheikhs from Al-Azhar and the Religious Endowments Ministry held Maghrib prayer at All Saints’ Cathedral, during the Egyptian unity Iftar held by the Anglican Diocese of Egypt in a display of religious unity.
Archbishop Sami Fawzi, of the Alexandria region for the Anglican Diocese of Egypt hosted the event at the cathedral in Zamalek, the privately-owned al-Watan newspaper reported on Thursday.
“During the holy month, we meet at the table of love and unity, as these meetings are an opportunity to exchange friendship and affection, which are the basis of the relationship that binds one countrymen at one table, which is more evidence of friendliness and love,” Fawzi said.
“Our society is known for adhering to the original religious values that make us respect the sanctities and beliefs of everyone,” he added.
“We meet in many matters, including speaking the same Arabic language, common history and religious tolerance, and during our meeting today at the Iftar table, we pray to God that peace and prosperity prevail in our beloved country, Egypt.”
Marked with candles, crosses, palm fronds, olive branches and roses, Coptic Christians celebrated Palm Sunday as they chanted religious hymns.
It is the last Sunday of Great Lent for the Copts and the beginning of Holy Week, in an annual celebration that commemorates the reception of Christ in Palestine, where people received him with raising palm branches.
The Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria and the Coptic churches in the governorates witnessed a heavy turnout since yesterday morning, Sunday, to attend the Palm Sunday mass.
