Egypt attempts to secure historic mosques against theft

Specialized company to secure 76 historic mosques

Published on 25 May 2011

Author(s): Al Masry-Al Youm/

Type:  News

Minister of Aniquities Zahi Hawass said he has agreed with Minister of Religious Endowments Abdullah al-Husseini that historic mosques affiliated to his ministry, totalling 128 buildings across Egypt, need to be managed by competent, experienced people.

The two ministers also agreed to form a joint committee of senior officials from both ministries to address problems facing their ministries and follow up on the restoration of Islamic monuments.

During their meeting, the ministers also discussed the problem of squatters in historic areas of Cairo, including Al-Azhar, Hussein, Gamaliya, Sayeda Zeinab, Bab al-Wazit, Old Cairo and Ramsis. In order to preserve historic sites, some of which are in a decrepit condition, the joint committee will be charged with finding alternative housing for residents.

The Ministry of Religious Endowments will also examine the possibility of funding mosque restoration projects, Hawass added.

Translated from the Arabic Edition

<p>واجهة مسجد «سادات قريش» ، الذي يقع في مدينة بلبيس بمحافظة الشرقية ، 21 أغسطس 2010 , أول مسجد بُنى فى مصر، بعد الفتح الإسلامى لها، وليس مسجد عمرو بن العاص كما هو شائع، حيث يسبق بناء «سادات قريش» بناء عمرو بن العاص بعامين كاملين.</p>

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