Egypt: Sisi Inaugurates Largest Mosque, Cathedral in Middle East

President Sisi and Coptic Patriarch Pope Tawadros II during the opening of the cathedral in the new administrative capital on Sunday, January 6, 2019. (AFP)
President Sisi and Coptic Patriarch Pope Tawadros II during the opening of the cathedral in the new administrative capital on Sunday, January 6, 2019. (AFP)
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Egypt: Sisi Inaugurates Largest Mosque, Cathedral in Middle East

President Sisi and Coptic Patriarch Pope Tawadros II during the opening of the cathedral in the new administrative capital on Sunday, January 6, 2019. (AFP)
President Sisi and Coptic Patriarch Pope Tawadros II during the opening of the cathedral in the new administrative capital on Sunday, January 6, 2019. (AFP)

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.



Israel Launches Heavy Airstrikes in Damascus, Vowing to Protect Druze

Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI
Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI
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Israel Launches Heavy Airstrikes in Damascus, Vowing to Protect Druze

Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI
Syrian security forces deploy amid ongoing clashes in the southern city of Sweida, 16 July 2025. EPA/MOHAMMED AL RIFAI

Israel launched powerful airstrikes in Damascus on Wednesday, blowing up part of the defense ministry and hitting near the presidential palace as it vowed to destroy government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria and demanded they withdraw. 

The attacks marked a significant Israeli escalation against the administration of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. They came despite his warming ties with the US and his administration's evolving security contacts with Israel. 

Describing Syria's new rulers as barely disguised extremists, Israel has said it will not let them move forces into southern Syria and vowed to shield the area's Druze community from attack, encouraged by calls from Israel's own Druze minority. 

The US said the fighting would stop soon. 

"We have engaged all the parties involved in the clashes in Syria. We have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media. 

The United Nations Security Council will meet on Thursday to address the conflict, diplomats said. 

"The council must condemn the barbaric crimes committed against innocent civilians on Syrian soil," said Israel's ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon. "Israel will continue to act resolutely against any terrorist threat on its borders, anywhere and at any time." 

WARPLANES OVER DAMASCUS 

Scores of people have been killed this week in violence in and around the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, pitting fighters from the Druze minority against government security forces and members of Bedouin tribes. 

Reuters reporters heard warplanes swoop low over the capital and unleash a series of massive strikes mid-afternoon. Columns of smoke rose from the area near the defense ministry. A section of the building was destroyed, the ground strewn with rubble. 

A Syrian medical source said the strikes on the ministry killed five members of the security forces. 

An Israeli military official said the entrance to the military headquarters in Damascus was struck, along with a military target near the presidential palace. The official said Syrian forces were not acting to prevent attacks on Druze and were part of the problem. 

"We will not allow southern Syria to become a terror stronghold," said Eyal Zamir, Israel's military chief of staff. 

Sharaa faces challenges to stitch Syria back together in the face of deep misgivings from groups that fear extremist rule. In March, mass killings of members of the Alawite minority exacerbated the mistrust. 

On Monday, Syrian government troops were dispatched to the Sweida region to quell fighting between Druze fighters and Bedouin armed men. The troops ended up clashing with the Druze militias. 

New clashes broke out in the city, according to a Reuters witness, after the Syrian interior ministry and a Druze leader, Sheikh Yousef Jarbou, said a ceasefire had been reached. 

Sweida residents said they were holed up indoors. "We are surrounded and we hear the fighters screaming ... we're so scared," a resident of Sweida said by phone. 

Cracks of gunfire interspersed by booms could be heard in the background. "We're trying to keep the children quiet so that no one can hear us," the man added, asking not to be identified for fear of reprisals. 

Syria's health ministry said dozens of bodies, including fighters and civilians, had been found in a hospital in the city. 

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said 169 people had been killed in this week's violence. Security sources put the toll at 300. Reuters could not independently verify the tolls. 

Druze, followers of a religion that is an offshoot of Islam, are spread between Syria, Lebanon and Israel. 

Following calls in Israel to help Druze in Syria, scores of Israeli Druze broke through the border fence on Wednesday, linking up with Druze on the Syrian side, a Reuters witness said. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military was working to save the Druze and urged Israeli Druze citizens not to cross the border. The Israeli military said it was working to safely return civilians who had crossed. 

Israeli Druze man Faez Shkeir said he felt helpless watching the violence in Syria. "My family is in Syria - my wife is in Syria, my uncles are from Syria, and my family is in Syria, in Sweida, I don't like to see them being killed. They kicked them out of their homes, they robbed and burned their houses, but I can't do anything," he said. 

A Syrian government statement on Wednesday said those responsible for lawlessness in Sweida would be held accountable. It said the government was committed to protecting the rights of the people in Sweida. 

Sharaa has repeatedly promised to protect minorities.