Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi inaugurated on Sunday the Middle East’s largest cathedral and mosque in the country’s new administrative capital.
The inauguration took place on the eve of Coptic Christmas.
The ceremony was attended by a number of Arab and foreign leaders and dignitaries, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
The Cathedral of the Nativity, adorned with Coptic icons, can accommodate 8,200 congregants. It consists of a ground floor, nave and 60-meter tower, according to a report published by the official Middle East News Agency (MENA).
The new cathedral is located on 15 acres (about 63,000 square meters). It is designed to hold a capacity of 2,500 people on the ground floor and another 7,500 on the upper floor.
Meanwhile, the Al-Fattah al-Aleem Mosque was built at the entrance of the new administrative capital on an area of about 5,445 square meters. It can accommodate up to 17,000 worshipers.
The area of the mosque’s yard is 6,325 square meters and can accommodate 6,300 worshipers. It has five main entrances, in addition to two entrances for women.
“The opening of the largest cathedral and mosque in the Middle East, Egypt and Africa marks a historic day for Egypt and the region," said presidency spokesman Bassam Radi.
He added in press statements that these inauguration ceremonies during the Christian holidays send a strong message that confirms and consolidates Sisi's approach, which calls for fraternity, peaceful coexistence, cooperation and tolerance.
Sisi is keen to consolidate this trend in the Egyptian state by establishing churches and mosques side by side in all the new cities and housing communities, he explained.
“On this day, we see you have fulfilled this promise and here we are witnessing a great opening on this grand occasion,” head of the Coptic church Pope Tawadros II said.
He presided over midnight mass with Sisi in attendance.
Internationally, US President Donald Trump praised the opening of the church and the mosque.
"Excited to see our friends in Egypt opening the biggest Cathedral in the Middle East. President Al-Sisi is moving his country to a more inclusive future," he tweeted on Sunday.
Pope Francis, for his part, extended greetings to Pope Tawadros.
“With joy I greet all of you on the joyful occasion of the dedication of the new Cathedral of the Nativity, built in the new administrative capital. May the prince of peace give to Egypt, the Middle East and the whole world the gift of peace and prosperity,” Pope Francis said.
