The holiday, which was designated a national holiday in 2002, will be paid for public employees at ministries, governmental institutions, public sector companies, authorities, and local administrations instead of Friday, 7 January, according to a decree issued by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli.
Coptic Orthodox Egyptians, who make up 90 percent of the country’s Christian population, celebrate Christmas on 7 January, according to the Julian Calendar.
In 2019, the government decided to give workers Thursdays as a day off if public holidays fall on a weekday.
Smaller Egyptian Christian denominations - such as Catholics and Evangelicals - celebrate Christmas on 25 December, according to the Gregorian Calendar.
Source: Al-Ahram Online
