KUWAIT CITY, Jan 7: The Egyptian Ambassador to Kuwait Mohamed Gaber Abou El Wafa participated in the Christmas celebrations at St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Kuwait. The event was attended by Father Bigoul Anba Bishoy, the church’s senior priest, along with numerous members of the Egyptian community and the congregation.

In his speech, Ambassador Abou El Wafa conveyed the greetings and congratulations of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to Egyptian Copts abroad, wishing them good health and blessings, and expressing hopes for Egypt’s continued progress and prosperity. He expressed his happiness and pride in participating in the occasion, describing it as deeply cherished. Ambassador Abou El Wafa explained that Christmas embodies noble human values such as peace, love, and tolerance.

These values form the foundation of coexistence and reflect Egypt’s civilizational message as a nation that embraces all its citizens and draws strength from social unity and cohesion. He noted that his participation this year carried special significance, as it marked his return to the embassy after a ten-year absence since January 2016.

Ambassador Abou El Wafa expressed his sincere appreciation for the role of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Kuwait in fostering a sense of love and belonging within the Egyptian community, and praised Father Bigoul Anba Bishoy for his efforts in caring for the congregation and reinforcing the values of brotherhood and unity. He extended his heartfelt gratitude to His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad, for Kuwait’s role in promoting tolerance and coexistence, as well as its steadfast commitment to religious freedom.

Ambassador Abou El Wafa affirmed that this spirit reflects the deep-rooted fraternal relations between Egypt and Kuwait, based on mutual trust, respect, and continued support, and reiterated the Egyptian Embassy’s commitment to further strengthening these ties. He concluded by reiterating his congratulations and wishing security, stability, and prosperity for Egypt, Kuwait, and peoples around the world, emphasizing that love, unity, and peace should be the firm foundation for building nations and strengthening human bonds.

Meanwhile, the Holy Family Cathedral in Qibla also held its Christmas Mass the previous day, in the presence of Ambassador Abou El Wafa. He congratulated members of the Egyptian Coptic Catholic community and wished them good health, as well as continued security, stability, and prosperity for the two brotherly countries, Egypt and Kuwait. Furthermore, Father Yassine Zakaria, the Coptic Catholic priest in Kuwait, extended his heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of Christmas and the New Year to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad, His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah, and to the government and people of Kuwait. Father Zakaria wished the Kuwaiti leadership and people continued health and well-being, expressing hope that the New Year would bring peace, love, and tolerance to people around the world. He highlighted Kuwait as a welcoming home for all, describing it as “a shining example of coexistence in an atmosphere of security and stability”. Father Zakaria concluded with a prayer that such occasions may return with goodness, blessings, and peace to Kuwait, its Amir, government, and people, and that security, peace, and prosperity continue to prevail across the country and among its residents.

By Fares Ghaleb and Inaas Awadh Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff