CEOSS Celebrates Dahabeya Commissioning

The Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS) celebrates Dahabeya commissioning tomorrow, Tuesday, 14 June, 2016 on the Nile in Minia, Egypt.

In attendance will be Dr. Ahmed Zaki, Minister of Local Development; Mr. Helmy El Namnam, Minister of Cultural Affairs; General Salah Nasr, Minia Governor; Ministry of Defense Representative; as well as a number of parliamentarians, intellectuals, religious leaders and media professionals.

CEOSS has used their boat, the Dahebeya, to host training programs and various meetings since 1952. With the development of CEOSS’ work, the Dahabeya was renewed several times and equipped with furniture and modern equipment; it was considered one of Minia’s landmarks, at a time when the number of boats in Minia could be counted on one hand.

After the dispersion of Rabaa Al-Adaweya and Al-Nahda Squares sit-ins in August 2013, extremists committed several assaults on many churches and properties owned by Christians across the country, especially in Minia. The Dahabeya was fully looted and charred. The boat was damaged beyond repair.

President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi assigned the Engineering Authority of the armed forces to renovate and restore all what extremist groups have destroyed; therefore, the Engineering Authority of the Armed Forces has strongly participated in replacing the Dahabeya with a new boat. We are thankful for our international partners who have participated in the restoration and commissioning.

You can watch the commissioning ceremony live in English Tomorrow, Tuesday, June 14th at 8 pm on CEOSS’ YouTube channel.