Abdel Bassir: Eliyahu Hanbi Synagogue Inauguration to Promote Tourism

Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, inaugurates, on Friday, Eliyahu Hanbi Synagogue in Alexandria, following the completion of its restoration process which comes within the Egyptian government's keen on preserving all its antiquities and heritage.

Dr. Hussein Abdel Bassir, the director of the Antiquities Museum at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, said that the inauguration of the Jewish temple (Eliyahu Hanbi) emphasizes that Egypt is the source of civilizations and an international cultural center, as it hosts many museums and temples.

“The political leadership attaches great importance to the file of antiquities, tourism and the preservation of our great cultural heritage,” Abdel Bassir added noting that the leadership is keen on the restoration of the existing temples and museums, in addition to establishing new museums, such as the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is considered the largest museum in the Middle East.

He pointed out that the cost of the Jewish temple restoration process reached more than EGP 60 million, in a step to preserve this archaeological temple.

“The international media praised its restoration process,” Abdel Bassir revealed, confirming that this temple represents a great promotion of foreign tourism.

The director of the Antiquities Museum at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina stressed that the Ministry of Antiquities is keen on preserving each antique, regardless of the religion it expresses, since Egypt is the cradle of heavenly religions.

Contributed by Ali Abu Dashish