Egypt’s Christians have rejoiced as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi formed a higher committee to combat sectarianism and put an end to attacks against Copts in the country. The decision, taken Dec. 29, has drawn admiration and praise of both Christian figures and parliamentarians.

Right after the announcement of the presidential decree, the Coptic Orthodox Church released a statement, saying that the decision to form the committee will contribute to promoting tolerance and interdependence as well as renunciation of violence and terrorism and showing the world the true image of Egypt.

“The decision will also contribute to building modern Egypt, as extremism devours any growth witnessed by the Egyptian society in various fields. The decision will help spread community peace, security, social justice and the principle of true citizenship,” the spokesman of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Paul Halim, said in the statement.

According to the presidential decree, the committee will be chaired by Magdy Abdel Ghaffar, the president's adviser for security and counterterrorism affairs, and its members will be representatives from the Armed Forces Operations Committee, the Military Intelligence and Reconnaissance Administration, the Administrative Control Authority and the National Security Agency.