All You Need to Know about IMCT Project

The Integrated Cultural Tourism Management (IMCT) project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under an agreement between the governments of Egypt and the United States for sustainable investment in Egyptian tourism (SITE).

The project is implemented by FHI 360, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, represented by the Supreme Council of Antiquities.

The project aims to align with global trends by promoting experiential and authentic tourism in historic Cairo and Luxor, establishing a sustainable approach to cultural tourism management, and positioning Egypt strategically for the future.

It also aims to unify and strengthen the efforts of the Egyptian government to improve the regulatory environment for investment in sustainable cultural heritage tourism, rehabilitate and sustain selected cultural heritage sites, develop tourism products and services with higher added value in the targeted destinations, and promote cultural tourism in those areas.

The project targets four areas within historic Cairo to rehabilitate and utilize their archaeological sites. These areas are Al-Hattaba, which includes the Sabil of Prince Sheikho; Darb Al-Labbana, which includes the Tekiya of Taqi al-Din al-Bastami and the Bimaristan of Al-Muayyad Sheikh; Bab Doweila, which includes the Tekiya of Ibrahim al-Kalashni and the Zawiya and Sabil of Faraj bin Barquq; and Souq al-Silah, which includes the Manjak al-Silahdar Gate, the Sabil of Mustafa Sinan, the Sabil and Kitab of Ruqayya Dodo, and the Sabil and Kitab of Hassan Agha Kuklian. This initiative aims to promote these areas and pave the way for comprehensive economic growth.

"Historic Buildings within the Project

• Al-Jalshani Tekke

The Al-Jalshani Tekke was built by Sheikh Ibrahim bin Mohammed bin Shahab, also known as Al-Jalshani. He was a Sufi sheikh who established the Khalwatiyya Al-Jalshaniyya Sufi order. Construction of the tekke began in 926 AH/1519 AD and was completed in 931 AH/1524 AD. The tekke includes a dome where Sheikh Al-Jalshani was buried, a tekke for his followers, a mosque, his residence, a kitchen, and a bathroom.

• Faraj bin Barquq Corner

Initially built by Prince Jamal al-Din Yusuf al-Ustadar, this corner is known for its remarkable architectural decorations. It consists of a prayer hall with two iwans, a hall, and a fountain topped by a book.

• Hassan Agha Koklian Fountain and Book

Built by Prince Hassan Agha Koklian, this fountain is topped by a book and has two windows. It features an integrated corner column and overlooks the street with two facades, each adorned with two arches.

• Ruqayya Dodo Fountain

This fountain was constructed by Mrs. Badawiya bint Shaheen in memory of her late daughter Ruqayya Dodo in the year 1174 AH. The fountain has a distinctive arched facade and consists of a rectangular room with three sides and an arched entrance on the fourth side. Three arched entrances serve as windows for the fountain.

• Mustafa Sinan Fountain

Built by Muhammad Agha and Mustafa Sinan Pasha Zadeh in 1040 AH / 1630 AD, this fountain is situated in Souq al-Silah Street in downtown Cairo. It is an independent fountain with a rectangular fountain room featuring two windows for providing drinking water to passersby. The fountain is also distinguished by being the first Ottoman Cairene fountain that contains a prayer room. The founding text is above the southeastern facade of the fountain."