Anani: Renovated Jewish Temple 'Message' That Egypt Cares for Heritage'

Antiquities and Tourism Minister Khaled El Anany said that the inauguration of the renovated Jewish temple in Alexandria city sends a message to the world that Egypt cares for its heritage.

In statements on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the temple, the minister said that Egypt is unique, explaining that whoever visits it can see the Greek, Roman, Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish monuments.

Earlier in the day, the minister inaugurated "Eliyahu Hanavi" Synagogue in Alexandria after massive revamp carried out under a cooperation protocol signed between the Antiquities Ministry and the Armed Forces Engineering Authority in 2017.

The total cost of the temple's renovation is estimated at more than EGP 60 million.

The opening ceremony was attended by Alexandria Governor Mohamed el Sherif, world-renowned archaeologist Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Moustafa Waziri, Director of Bibliotheca Alexandrina (BA) Moustafa El Fiqi, in addition to several foreign ambassadors and officials.

A documentary on the temple's history was displayed at the inauguration ceremony.

"The history of the Jewish synagogues in Egypt represents religious tolerance of the country," Rayhan said, adding that the Ministry of Antiquities has 11 registered Jewish houses of worship, nine in Cairo and two in Alexandria.

The current structure of Eliyahu Hanavi was erected in the 1850s, after the original building, which dated back to the 1300s, was badly damaged in the late 18th century, during a French invasion of Egypt. It can take approximately 700 worshipers, it is the larger of the two synagogues remaining in the city.

"The renovations included the structural reinforcement of the synagogue, the restoration of its main facade, decorative walls, and brass and wooden objects, and the development of its security and lighting systems," the ministry said in a statement in December.