In a controversial move, Egypt's government is demolishing parts of the historic City of the Dead cemetery in Cairo to make way for new housing and infrastructure. This decision comes amid a pressing housing crisis in the country, which has a population of approximately 107 million. Since 2020, thousands of graves have been destroyed, including that of renowned architect Ahmed el-Meligui's grandfather, whose family tomb was built 105 years ago. Families are now being forced to exhume their relatives' remains, a process that has caused deep emotional pain for many, such as Mokhtar, who has expressed the trauma of losing a family connection in this manner. The government has offered alternative burial sites, but these are often smaller and located in more remote areas, further compounding the distress for affected families. The demolition of the cemetery not only impacts the deceased but also disrupts the lives of residents who have long lived within the cemetery grounds, highlighting the broader implications of urban development policies in a city that is home to around 22 million people. [5dc5f206]
In a separate yet equally significant development, Egypt has successfully recovered three ancient artefacts that were smuggled out of the country, including a mummified head from the Hellenistic period, a ceramic funerary figurine from the New Kingdom era (664-332 BC), and part of a wooden tomb inscribed with the goddess Isis (663-504 BC). These items were discovered in the Netherlands, where two of them were found for sale in an antiques shop. Dutch police and cultural heritage officials acted swiftly to retrieve the artefacts after confirming their illicit smuggling. Notably, a Dutch individual surrendered the mummified head, claiming it was inherited from a family member. The artefacts are believed to have been stolen through illegal excavation activities. Since 2014, Egypt has made significant strides in combating trafficking, recovering over 30,000 artefacts in its efforts to protect its cultural heritage. This recovery highlights the ongoing global challenge of repatriating stolen antiquities and the importance of international cooperation in preserving cultural artifacts. [bda5a726]