Christians responded to the call from Coptic religious activists and leaders to fast Ramadan and have Iftār with Muslims. Churches’ bells and sunset’s Adhān (a sign to break Ramadan fast) rang together to affirm unity and the authorization to the Army to fight against terrorism and violence.

Archbishop Salīb Mattá Sawirus, member of the Coptic Orthodox al-Milī (Lay) Council, said that Christians usually fast every Wednesday and Friday all year long and this fast of Friday coincides with the million-man protest that supports the armed forces to fight terrorism, adding that the Church cancelled all the activities in order to participate in the demonstrations ('Imād Khalīl, al-Misrī al-Yawm, p. 4). Read original text in Arabic.