Egyptians to celebrate Coptic Eve as scheduled, Halem says

CAIRO – 31 December 2017: Egyptians will celebrate The Coptic Christmas Eve as scheduled on 6 January, said the Egyptian Coptic Church Spokesperson Paul Halem in an interview with an Egyptian TV Program Saturday.

“Terrorists cannot prevent Egyptians from celebrating the joys of Coptic Christmas Eve. This year’s celebrations will be held at the Coptic Church in the new administrative capital, as coordination taking place now between the Church’s delegation and authorities in the new proposed capital.”, added Halem.

Halem stressed that the celebrations’ joy will prevail over terrorism woes despite the current challenges and burdens.

A Coptic Church (Martyr Mina Church) witnessed a failed terrorist explosion attempt on Friday morning, when two armed assailants tried to storm the Church located in Helwan neighborhood, by trespassing the Perimeter Security around the worship house.

The attack left 19 killed and injured, as the Gunmen shot Christian worshippers along with security officers and the neighborhood’s residents.

According to Ministry of Interior’s statement, attackers opened fire at a household appliances shop, then headed to the church, where they attempted to trespass the church's perimeter security.

The security forces aided by neighborhood’s civilians were able to capture one of the attackers after shooting him. Shortly afterwards, security officers managed to defuse an explosive belt that was fasten around the militant's chest, while the other one fled the scene, according to the statement.

Security sources said on Saturday that the captured injured attacker of Helwan’s Church of Great Martyr Mina underwent successful surgery to remove bullets from his foot.

The sources added that the attacker had suffered bullet wounds to the foot and bruises scattered all over his body.

The Ministry of Interior identified the fugitive assailant as Ibrahim Isma'il Isma'il Moustafa, 34, who is believed to be one of the most prominent terrorist elements.

Moustafa is believed to have taken part in the attack on the vehicle in the (microbus) Helwan police station in 2016; the attack left an officer dead.