First museum of religious tolerance to be established in new capital

SEE-July29th: Egyptian Minister of Antiquities announced the establishment of the first museum of religious tolerance in the New Administrative Capital, near the city’s main mosque, according to Egypt Independent.

The museum sheds light on tolerance of Islam and persity of religions In Egypt. It is expected to include pieces from the ancient Egyptian times as well as the Islamic, Coptic and Jewish civilizations.

Local news reported that the museum will be under the supervision of General Director of the Tahrir Museum Sabah Abdel Razik, General Director of the Islamic Museum Mamdouh Othman and ex-Antiquities Minister and Egyptology Zahi Hawass.

Egypt's population is 85 – 90% Muslims, 10-15% Coptic Christian in addition to other minorities of different faiths who live in the country.

The country has one of the oldest civilizations in the world. A temporary exhibition called ‘One God, Three Religions’ was held at the Egyptian Museum last year to highlight religion in Egypt  from the monotheistic era of King Akhenaten to the Abrahamic religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

The Coptic Museum exists in Old Cairo while Islamic Art Museum is near Tahrir, in Cairo’s downtown. Although Egypt has a small number of jews, it has few synagogues like, Ben Ezra. Head of Egypt’s Jewish Community Council Magda Haroun said that a national Jewish Museum will be established.