Yesterday (May 5, 2013), Egyptian Copts celebrated Easter and received greetings from fellow Muslims; however representatives from the Freedom and Justice Party were absent. Coptic Orthodox Archbishop Silwanous, General Bishop at the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Alexandria, emphasized the need for Egyptian unity during the Holy Easter Mass at the Cathedral in Alexandria. Security apparatuses in Alexandria took tight security measures to secure churches.
Maj. Gen. Ahmad Hilmī al-Hayātmī, Governor of Matruh Governorate, participated in Coptic Easter celebrations at Virgin Mary Church in the city of Marsá Matrūh on the same day. Also in the attendance of Father Mattá Zakarīyyā of Virgin Mary Church and father Bījīmī al-Anbā Būlā of Two Martyrs Church (Muhammad Munīr, Muhammad Ayūb, Hamdī Hijāzī, Isrā' Muhārib, Ashraf Misbāh, Muhammad Mijalī, Nirmīn Najdī, Muhammad 'Isawī, Ahmad 'Abd al-Samī' and Tāriq 'Abd al-Jalīl, al-Tahrīr, May 6, p. 7). Read original text in Arabic.
