A project to expand roads and bridges to ease congestion in Cairo has put thousands of tombs in a vast and ancient Islamic cemetery under threat, causing outcry among conservationists and family members.
Known as the City of the Dead, the cemeteries along the eastern edge of Historic Cairo have been a resting place for Egypt's deceased since the arrival of Islam in the seventh century A.D.
The UNESCO World Heritage site extends for 10 square kilometres (3.9 square miles) and many of Cairo's most prominent families maintain a deep bond with the cemeteries, where they continue to bury their dead. In recent months, the government has used diggers and bulldozers to rip up thousands of graves for wide highways that will link Cairo to a new capital under construction 50 kilometres (31 miles) to the east.
The remains of cemeteries that have been demolished at Qarafa Imam...READ ON
The remains of cemeteries that have been demolished at Qarafa Imam al-shafi'i, due to a new construction project underway on the Salah Salem road, in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2023. REUTERS
Ahmed Maher, 83, stands outside his home in the Majid house, built in 1880,...READ ON
Ahmed Maher, 83, stands outside his home in the Majid house, built in 1880, which he hopes will not be demolished, across The City of the Dead, where a new construction project is underway on the Salah Salem road, in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt, May 25, 2023. REUTERS
A view of the cemeteries that were demolished in Qarafa Imam al-shafi'i...READ ON
A view of the cemeteries that were demolished in Qarafa Imam al-shafi'i cemetery across The City of the Dead, where a new construction project at the Salah Salem Road is underway, in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt May 31, 2023. REUTERS
Ahmed Maher, 83, stands outside his home in the Majid house, built in 1880,...READ ON
Ahmed Maher, 83, stands outside his home in the Majid house, built in 1880, which he hopes will not be demolished, across The City of the Dead, where a new construction project is underway on the Salah Salem road, in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt, May 25, 2023. REUTERS
Tombstones are some of the remains of the demolished cemetery. Reuters
Fatima Mohamed, 60, who lives near the tomb of Imam al-Shafi'i, which...READ ON
Fatima Mohamed, 60, who lives near the tomb of Imam al-Shafi'i, which could be demolished, due to a new construction project underway on the Salah Salem road, stands in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt, May 26, 2023. REUTERS
A view shows the City of the Dead, where tombs and historic cemeteries have...READ ON
A view shows the City of the Dead, where tombs and historic cemeteries have been demolished due to a new construction project underway on the Salah Salem road, in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt, June 13, 2023. REUTERS
A view of the cemeteries that were demolished at Sayyida Nafisa cemetery...READ ON
A view of the cemeteries that were demolished at Sayyida Nafisa cemetery across The City of the Dead, where a new construction project is underway on the Salah Salem road, in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2023. REUTERS
Hafiz Shaker, 84, stands inside his Majid house, built in 1880, which he...READ ON
Hafiz Shaker, 84, stands inside his Majid house, built in 1880, which he hopes will not be demolished, across The City of the Dead, where a new construction project is underway on the Salah Salem road, in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt May 25, 2023. REUTERS
A view shows written words in Arabic reading "We will demolish" at...READ ON
A view shows written words in Arabic reading "We will demolish" at Qarafa Imam al-shafi'i cemetery, across The City of the Dead, where a new construction project is underway on the Salah Salem road, in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt, June 2, 2023. REUTERS
A family carries in an ambulance the exhumed remains of their relatives,...READ ON
A family carries in an ambulance the exhumed remains of their relatives, after cemeteries were demolished, in Qarafa Al-Suyuti, across The City of the Dead, where a new construction project is underway on the Salah Salem road, in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt, May 31, 2023. REUTERS
A view shows the City of the Dead where historic tombs and cemeteries will be...READ ON
A view shows the City of the Dead where historic tombs and cemeteries will be demolished in Qarafa Al-Suyuti, due to a new construction project underway on the Salah Salem road, in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt, June 13, 2023. REUTERS
Hafez Shaker, 84, One of the heirs of the Majid house, built in 1880, Hafez...READ ON
Hafez Shaker, 84, One of the heirs of the Majid house, built in 1880, Hafez was born in this house, and he hopes to live the last days of his life in it. He hopes that the house will not be demolished in the development plan that is taking place in the area.
A view shows the construction and demolition area at Qarafa Al-Suyuti, across...READ ON
A view shows the construction and demolition area at Qarafa Al-Suyuti, across The City of the Dead, where a new construction project is underway on the Salah Salem road, in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt,May 27, 2023. REUTERS
General view of the construction site of a bridge on the Autostrad road and...READ ON
General view of the construction site of a bridge on the Autostrad road and the Muqattam Hills across The City of the Dead, where a new construction project at the Salah Salem Road is underway, in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt May 26, 2023. REUTERS
A view shows the City of the Dead, where tombs and historic cemeteries have...READ ON
A view shows the City of the Dead, where tombs and historic cemeteries have been demolished due to a new construction project underway on the Salah Salem road, in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt, June 13, 2023. REUTERS
General view of the construction site of a bridge on the Autostrad road and...READ ON
General view of the construction site of a bridge on the Autostrad road and the Muqattam Hills across The City of the Dead, where a new construction project at the Salah Salem Road is underway, in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt May 26, 2023. REUTERS
A view shows the City of the Dead, where tombs and historic cemeteries have...READ ON
A view shows the City of the Dead, where tombs and historic cemeteries have been demolished due to a new construction project underway on the Salah Salem road, in the capital city of Cairo, Egypt, June 13, 2023. REUTERS
A project to expand roads and bridges to ease congestion in Cairo has put thousands of tombs in a vast and ancient Islamic cemetery under threat, causing outcry among conservationists and family members.
Known as the City of the Dead, the cemeteries along the eastern edge of Historic Cairo have been a resting place for Egypt's deceased since the arrival of Islam in the seventh century A.D.
The UNESCO World Heritage site extends for 10 square kilometres (3.9 square miles) and many of Cairo's most prominent families maintain a deep bond with the cemeteries, where they continue to bury their dead. In recent months, the government has used diggers and bulldozers to rip up thousands of graves for wide highways that will link Cairo to a new capital under construction 50 kilometres (31 miles) to the east.