WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama called Friday for the protection of Copts and other minorities as the Christian group celebrated its first post-revolution Christmas in Egypt.
"As events in Egypt and elsewhere have illustrated… the protection of people of all faiths, and the ability to worship as you choose are critical to a peaceful, inclusive and thriving society," Obama said in a statement on the celebration of Coptic Christmas.
The statement said Obama and his wife Michelle "wish Coptic Orthodox Christians in the United States and around the world a blessed and joyous Christmas."
Obama added, "I want to reaffirm the commitment of the United States to work for the protection of Christian and other religious minorities around the world."
