Muslims, Copts feast together

During the past week, Egypt had two holidays. Muslims and Copts celebrated Eid el-Fitr (Leaser Bairam) and Christmas, respectively. According to astronomical calculations, Muslim and Christian celebrations directly coincide in this way every 33 years.

Both Muslims celebrate the feast by making cookies, wearing new clothes, visiting cemeteries and giving money to children. These are habit adopted by all Egyptians, regardless of their religious belief.

There are other example illustrating the close ties binding Muslims and Christians. In Al-Azhar, we find Christian shops and stores; wherever there is a church, a mosque is found nearby. Egyptians live under Saladin's motto: "Religion is for God; but the homeland is for everyone."

A Christian citizen affirms that, during Christmas, his Muslim neighbor was the first one to offer him a season's greetings. Another person said that his family exchange sweets and gifts with their Christian neighbors at both Muslim and Christian feasts.