Sisi Attends Christmas Service

Last year there was some surprise that Egypt's then-General al-Sisi did not show up for the Coptic Christmas Eve service on Eastern Christmas tonight. The previous year there had been much criticism of Muhammad Morsi skipping it. (In 2012 most of the Supreme Council of  the Armed Forces did attend. Husni Mubarak in his later years usually sent his son Gamal or senior Cabinet members.)

Al-Ahram

This year President Sisi has attended. Al-Ahram is describing it as the first time a sitting president has attended. (I thought others had, including Nasser, but I may be wrong. Presidents at least meet with the Coptic Pope before Christmas.)

Coptic Pope Tawadros II has been an outspoken supporter of Sisi's government.