- Title: Christmas decorations meet Muslim lanterns in Cairo
- Date: 3rd January 2019
- Summary: VARIOUS OF SNOW GLOBES ON DISPLAY
- Embargoed: 17th January 2019 16:51
- Keywords: Egypt Coptic Christmas Lanterns
- Location: CAIRO, EGYPT
- City: CAIRO, EGYPT
- Country: Egypt
- Topics: Religion/Belief,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA0029VL85SL
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: As Egyptians prepare to welcome Coptic Christmas, gift shops are selling Christmas-themed lanterns, integrating two centuries-old religious traditions.
Lanterns typically flood shops and streets stalls in Egypt ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, where Muslims fast from dawn until dusk.
But this year marks the first time the metal or plastic mementoes are used in the country for a non-Islamic celebration, said Hadeer, a shopkeeper at a Cairo gift shop.
The shop is offering lanterns fitted with Santa Claus and snowmen and are painted in traditional Christmas colours.
While Egypt's Catholic community have already celebrated Christmas on December 25, Coptic Christians mark the holiday on January 7.
Muslims and Christians are still shopping for the perfect holiday gift to give to family and friends ahead of the occasion, according to Hadeer.
She added that this was the first year the hybrid lantern was made and offered for sale in stores.
Egypt's large Christian minority has increasingly been targeted in recent years by Islamist militants including Islamic State.
In November, gunmen killed at least seven Christians who were returning from baptizing a child at a Coptic monastery. It was the most serious attack on the minority in more than a year.
The Coptic Orthodox Church is one of oldest in the world. It is the principal Christian church in predominantly Muslim Egypt. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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