Egyptian banks shut down on Sunday for Christmas

By Aya El Sayed On Jan 3, 2024

Pope Tawadros II, the head of Egypt s Coptic Orthodox Church, congratulates Muslims on Ramadan during his Sunday sermon in Saint Queen Helena Church in Cairo s Maadi. Coptic Orthodox Church. Credit: Ahram Online.

The Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) announced on Wednesday that the Egyptian banks will not be open on Sunday, January 7, in observance of the Orthodox Church’s Christmas celebration, as reported by the Egypt State Information Service (SIS).

Egyptian banks will begin their services again on Monday, January 8.

Additionally, the Egyptian Exchange (EGX) announced in a separate statement that trading will stop on the upcoming Sunday and restart on the following day.

These decisions came after the Egyptian Prime Minister declared on Sunday that January 8 will be a paid holiday for all employees in ministries, government facilities, public authorities, local administration units, public sector companies, the public enterprise sector, and the private sector in Egypt.