Official: President Sisi’s commitment to participate in Christmas celebrations reflects national unity

CAIRO - 7 January 2026: Ambassador Wael El-Naggar, Assistant Foreign Minister for Cultural Relations, affirmed that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s commitment to attending Christmas celebrations at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ since 2015 has become a well-established tradition that reflects the unity of the Egyptian people in all their components.

Speaking during a special interview on the program Kol Al-Ab‘ad aired on Extra News TV Channel, El-Naggar said that Egyptian diplomacy has succeeded in conveying this civilized image of tolerance and coexistence to the international community, reinforcing Egypt’s long-standing values of national cohesion and mutual respect.

In a related context, El-Naggar revealed that Egypt has succeeded in recovering more than 30,000 antiquities over the past decade, including the recent return of seven artifacts from Washington, as well as around 200 artifacts during 2025 alone.

He explained that these efforts are the result of strong bilateral agreements, particularly with the United States, aimed at combating the illicit trafficking of cultural property. El-Naggar stressed that antiquities are an integral part of Egypt’s national sovereignty and a key element of its cultural identity.