Coptic Orthodox Pope Shenouda III said Copts will be celebrating the New Year and Eastern Orthodox Christmas normally because they are not scared of any possible threats, noting peace and quiet are prevailing in Egypt thanks to the efforts of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) and the interior ministry. The pope, during his sermon on December 28, said the cancellation of next week’s sermon is due to preparations by the church to celebrate the Coptic Christmas on the eve of Friday, January 6, 2012. He said that the churches are witnessing crowds unprecedented since the 1940s despite rumors threatening the Coptic Christmas celebrations. [Ashraf Ghayth, 'Imād Khalīl and Muhammad Jawīsh, Al-Misrī al-Yawm, p. 3, Dec. 30] Read origial text in Arabic