Story number 5 for 23 Dec 2002

(Egypt)–And finally, Christian Solidary Worldwide reports that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has declared Christmas Day a National holiday in Egypt for the first time in the country’s history. Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7th, and starting in 2003, this date will be an official public holiday. In the past, Christian religious festivals have not been designated as public holidays even though Christians represent more than 10 percent of Egypt’s population.