KUWAIT CITY, Jan 7: In an atmosphere that reflects the depth of Egyptian-Kuwaiti relations and the strong bonds between the peoples of the two brotherly countries, the St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Kuwait limited its celebration of the Christmas Mass to prayers in a spiritual atmosphere followed by a speech delivered by the Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral of St. Mark, Father Bijol Anba Bishoy. In his speech, Father Bishoy apologized for not receiving well-wishers out of respect for the feelings of citizens and residents over the loss of His Highness the late Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah (May God have mercy on him), and in line with the mourning period currently in the country. He began by wishing more prosperity, peace and security for Kuwait in the new year and for the well-being of its leaders, government and people. Father Bishoy affirmed that the church is content with just offering prayers in solidarity with the Kuwaiti people in mourning the loss of Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad (May God have mercy on him). He said the feeling of pain of parting with His Highness the late Amir will go beyond the path of renaissance and progress under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad.

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Father Bishoy said, “In this Christmas Mass, we pray for God to support the leadership of Kuwait and guide its steps”. He expressed his congratulations to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem on assuming the position of prime minister, describing him as a person of sophistication, humility, and wise diplomacy. Father Bishoy also thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his good feelings and congratulatory speech to Christians abroad. He expressed his congratulations to His Excellency the Egyptian President el-Sisi on the occasion of assuming a new presidential term in Egypt to complete the process of construction and renaissance with the people’s strong confidence in his leadership.

He thanked all of Kuwaiti society, and all its components and groups, diplomatic missions, and communities here, for the abundant feelings of tolerance and brotherhood that they always feel, adding, “These are feelings that we realize on this Christmas, like in every Christmas, despite not receiving well-wishers this time”. Bishop Bishoy did not miss the opportunity to send his greetings to the leaders and officers of the Ministry of Interior, led by the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled. He also expressed his gratitude for everyone’s efforts in securing the celebrations. He highlighted the visit of the Acting Director General of the Hawally Security Directorate Brigadier General Ziad Al-Khatib to the church a few days ago with several security and traffic leaders of Hawalli Governorate who monitor the security checkpoint opposite the church and the security situation during the holiday periods.

He also thanked the media outlets that covered these activities. In his sermon titled “God is with us”, Father Bishoy said, “The blessing of Christmas is to feel that God is with us in our midst, residing in us and with us here on earth and also in eternity, The secret to eternal happiness is to be in God’s presence. As we bid farewell to the year that has passed and welcomes a new Gregorian year in our common journey full of hope and optimism, I would like to express, in the name of His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, the Pope and Patriarch of the See of Mark in Egypt and all countries of the diaspora, and His Eminence Anba Anthony, the Bishop of the Jerusalem See and the Near East, and the Fathers of St. Mark Coptic Orthodox Church in Kuwait, good wishes that it will be a happy year, that peace will prevail in the region, especially in the State of Palestine, and that the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Gaza, as well as the human suffering in all areas of war and conflict, will soon end.”

By Bassam Al-Qassas
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff