The governor of Alexandria, Tāriq al-Mahdī, offered special congratulations to Pope Tawadros II and to all the Copts, in particular the Copts of Alexandria. He said that there is a comprehensive security plan for all churches in the city on the day of Christmas celebrations, and special reinforcements for the Saint Mark Cathedral by the police and the army, adding: ‘We will not allow any person or group to disrupt the joy of Egyptians, or to prevent them from feeling safe and secure’ (Najwá Bikhayt, al-Dustūr, Jan. 5, p. 2).