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For centuries, the heart of Cairo, once known as Al-Qahira: The Victorious, has witnessed a rich history of tradition, culture and heritage. The narrow, winding streets of the old town are home to historic mosques, picturesque markets, and the tombs of the illustrious inhabitants who once walked its paths. However, this historical wealth is today threatened by an ambitious project by the Egyptian government: the construction of a new highway that will cross the heart of Old Cairo.
Unlike the picturesque, winding streets of the old city, the new highway will be wide, straight, and modern, cutting through important historical and cultural sites. The bulldozers have already begun their work, irreparably breaking cultural institutions such as Darb 1718, an emblematic place of art and culture in Cairo. Renowned sculptor Moataz Nasreldin saw his 15-year work reduced to dust in the space of a day, despite desperate efforts to save this artistic bastion. [Source link](https://mg.co.za/africa/2024-04-16-in-egypt-new-roads-old-problems/)
This massive destruction is part of a government project aimed at combating the city’s chronic congestion. However, this drastic remedy endangers Old Cairo’s cultural and historical heritage, even threatening its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mausoleums, tombs, and monuments dating back centuries are being demolished, raising fears that the vestiges of a rich past will disappear. The story of Yehia Haqqi, an Egyptian writer whose tomb was destroyed and moved, is emblematic of this destructive wave.
Faced with pressure from civil society, the government sought to ease tensions by announcing the creation of a new cemetery to accommodate the graves of famous personalities. However, concrete actions are slow to materialize, leaving heritage defenders powerless in the face of the onslaught of bulldozers. In this context of destruction and resistance, certain civil society actors like Hossam Abd El Azeem of Shawahed Masr are mobilizing to save what can still be saved.
By preserving the facades and artifacts of historic sites on the verge of destruction, these shadowy heroes attempt to preserve a valuable cultural heritage for future generations. Faced with this wave of modernization at all costs, the question inevitably arises: what is the price to pay for progress? Is the destruction of the historic heritage of Old Cairo in the name of economic development really necessary? Shouldn’t we instead seek a balance between preserving the past and building the future?
This struggle between tradition and modernity, between conservation and development, raises existential questions about the very identity of a city and its population. Does Cairo, with its rich history and cultural diversity, deserve to be sacrificed on the altar of urban progress? Or is there a way to reconcile past and future, memory and modernity, to build a city where history and progress walk hand in hand?
Ultimately, the destruction of historical heritage in Old Cairo emerges as a symbol of a broader dilemma that extends beyond Egypt’s borders. It is the universal dilemma between preserving our past and building our future, between honoring the memory of our ancestors and shaping a better world for generations to come. It is a fundamental challenge that every society faces, and the resolution of which will ultimately determine the very essence of our humanity. [Additional source link](https://mg.co.za/africa/2024-04-16-in-egypt-new-roads-old-problems/)