Egypt builds highway through the City of the Dead

Egypt is developing Cairo at the expense of its ancient heritage. It is paving priceless buildings and artefacts to build a highway and a parking lot.

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Egypt is currently demolishing the Al-Qarafa Cemetery in the City of the Dead, which is part of Historic Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. This area is home to stunning Islamic architecture, including domes, minarets, and graves, some of which are over 1,200 years old. It also contains the resting places of Egypt's most influential figures, such as the Muhammad Ali royal dynasty. My heart breaks over the destruction of this historic site

The Cairo administration has justified the destruction of this Ottoman heritage site by declaring it was not a historic monument. This mosque was destroyed to create a parking lot. Photo via Aktuel Tarih

Rapid urban development in Egypt isn’t considering the UNESCO-protected sites in the city, like this mosque in the City of the Dead, demolished and in ruin

Locals are reporting that Egypt is demolishing ancient history by knocking down the Al-Qarafa Cemetery in the City of the Dead, a UNESCO-protected site, to build a new highway through Cairo.

The City of the Dead, or the Cairo Necropolis,is also also referred to as the Qarafa in Arabic, is a series of Islamic-era necropolises and cemeteries in Cairo, Egypt. They run north and to south of the Cairo Citadel, below the Mokattam Hills and outside the historic city walls, covering an area of about 4 miles long.

This cemetery is is part of Historic Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. According to people who live in Cairo, the area is home to stunning Islamic architecture, such as domes, minarets, and graves, some of which are over 1,200 years old. It also contains the resting places of Egypt’s most influential figures, such as those from the Muhammad Ali Royal Dynasty.

On the Urban Hell Reddit forum, one contributor says, “The Egyptian government and local authorities are highly corrupt, that’s why they are willing to destroy this cemetery without a second thought.”

Another reader defends the move, saying “They’re not “destroying it”. They’re putting an elevated highway through a four-mile wide cemetery. No registered historic buildings are being destroyed. The space this will take is a drop in the bucket. It would be nice if they didn’t have to but Cairo has grown 4x in population since 1970 and sacrifices must be made.”

This cemetery is is part of Historic Cairo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. According to people who live in Cairo, the area is home to stunning Islamic architecture, such as domes, minarets, and graves, some of which are over 1,200 years old. It also contains the resting places of Egypt's most influential figures, such as those from the Muhammad Ali Royal Dynasty.

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Another one comments: “Reminds me of when Egypt destroyed trees in urban areas so property developers can sell the idea of “greenary” being exclusive and luxurious in gated communities. Or property developers leaving building facades unfinished so they don’t pay property tax. Or building a highway through apartments complexs or even through Alexandria’s ancient coastline

“Egypt needs to introduce new urban planning laws regarding historic sites, environment and facades before we see a highway ramp up to the Pyramid of Giza with a Starbucks on top.”

The government’s project is destroying a “unique, architectural, historic fabric,” said Ayman Wanas to the Associated Press. He is an official with the government department that lists distinctive buildings and wrote in his resignation letter posted online. “It’s a waste of Egypt’s historic, valuable heritage which is irreplaceable.”

Hundreds of activists were killed at Tahir Square in Egypt following the Arab Sprint uprising that started in 2011. Some sites list more than one thousand. We met Mohammed Gohar in Montreal who told us how he saved 17 Christians from certain death by hiding them in his TV station building during one of the protests. He was granted asylum in Canada for his bravery. Virginity checks and other awful violations faced the demonstrators as well.

The work on redeveloping Cairo, despite its rich architecture from the past is part of a mega-building campaign by their President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi to reshape the home of 20 million people. His government is putting up massive freeways and flyovers at a furious rate while encouraging the growth of gated suburban compounds outside the city while building a giant new capital in the desert.

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