'Violation of a legacy': public outcry in Egypt after demolition of Khedive era cemetery

The recent demolition of a historical cemetery dating back to the era of Egypt's first Khedive, Muhammad Ali Pasha, also known to be the founder of modern Egypt, renewed an already existing uproar about the loss of the country's historical heritage.

On Tuesday, video segments and pictures went viral on social media platforms as bulldozers tore down the dome above the tomb of the mother of late Prince Muhammad Ali Abdel-Halim, the Khedive's son, sparking backlash in Egypt and worldwide among activists, experts and public figures.

The tomb in question housed the remains of who was referred to in Arabic as Muhammad Ali's "Al-Mostawleda," meaning a female slave whom he could or had children with.

Slavery in Egypt and other Muslim-dominated countries in the region was legal until the practice was abolished sometime later in the 19th century.

Violation of Egypt's legacy

The Society of Egyptian Architects expressed its concerns in an official statement, describing the move as "a violation of Egypt's unique architectural legacy, which the cemeteries of Imam al-Shafie stand for."

"These cemeteries have witnessed centuries-long architectural history and civilisation being part and parcel of the identity of old Cairo," the statement read.

The architects' society further argued that the demolition violated local and international laws that protect historical heritage.

In Egypt, destruction of the dome of the mausoleum of the Children of Mohammed Ali Pasha for urban development causes social media outrage. Egyptian MP attempts to intervene to stop the destruction of cultural heritage. https://t.co/EG5Q12w1uD

— David M. Witty (@DavidMWitty1) October 23, 2024

The graveyard of Mohammad Ali Pasha’s family, also referred to in Arabic as "Hosh al-Basha" (the graveyard of the Pasha) is located inside the cemetery of Imam al-Shafie, in the Al-Khalifa neighbourhood in southern Cairo, which hosts a group of graveyards belonging to the Alevi family next to the Imam al-Shafie Mosque.

The move prompted several parliamentarians in Egypt to present urgent motions before the speaker of the lower-house-the-parliament, demanding an official response from the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities.

Egypt is currently demolishing its 1200 years old Al qarafa cemetry .

What’s the reason?

They are building a new highway.

I could laugh at how utterly dystopian this is, demolishing a cemetery for a highway. pic.twitter.com/yPsu29zZ9E

— Waken Minds 𓂀 (@wakenminds) October 24, 2024

The ongoing outcry over Tuesday's demolition operation has been met by what could be described as "groundless" excuses. Magdy Shaker, the Chief Archeologist at the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, denied in statements to local media outlets that law 117 of 1983 on antiquities applies to the site in question, arguing that it is not a monument in the first place.

Shaker said that the demolition was carried out “for the sake of public interest.”

Soheir Zaki Hawas, Professor of Architecture and Urban Design at Cairo University, does not agree with that argument.

"The law refers to any antique from the past, not necessarily a building, whatever relating to a former civilisation dating back to as old as 100 years or earlier," Hawas told The New Arab.

"I'm neither a historian nor an archaeologist. But in the case of the graveyard of Muhammad Abdel-Halim Pasha's mother, it must date back to over 150 years ago given the era when she lived and died in the 18th century," the award-winning researcher added.

Hawas documented Cairo's 19th and early 20th-century architecture of Khedivial Cairo, among other prominent accomplishments.

"Before any such operation takes place, the approval of the permanent committee of listed buildings at the National Organisation for Urban Harmony at the Ministry of Culture is required…. The value of the structure in question must be examined first by the concerned experts," Hawas noted.  

Over the past years, President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi's government has been systematically demolishing tombs and mausoleums in El-Imam Al-Shafaie cemeteries and those of Al-Sayeda Nafisa to make way for a highway, bridges, and other road infrastructure projects around the area.

Thousands of human remains buried there have been relocated, mostly to the outskirts of Cairo, as parts of the graves have been listed within the UNESCO City of the Dead, which had once hosted renowned public figures, writers, intellectuals and artists.

Egyptians of different political and cultural affiliations have repeatedly called for halting the demolition operations carried out in historical cemeteries, also considered invaluable due to their aesthetic significance.  

On Thursday, the Egyptian Engineers’ Syndicate said in a statement that committees of consulting architects will urgently come together to examine the concerns raised on social media and reach out to the concerned entities to prepare a comprehensive report on the matter.

The union called on the government to reconsider the execution of any heritage sites protected by international and local laws.

"Even though any conclusions will be advisory and not legally binding, the union cannot be marginalised, at least in the eyes of the general public," Hawas said.

Meanwhile, local unconfirmed reports suggested that the government responded to the ongoing public pressure and halted demolitions in the area. But it may already be too late for dozens have been wiped out over the past months.

No official confirmation has yet been released at the time of publication.

"Technically, as architects, there is nothing to do now about the demolished monuments as these sites cannot be restored," Hawas added.