PM, Sharjah Ruler Inaugurate Renovated National Library

By: Ibrahim Eldeeb and Salma Yassin

CAIRO, Feb 3 (SEE)-Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli and Sultan Bin Muhammad Al-Qasimi, Member of Supreme Council and ruler of Sharjah inaugurated the renovated national library “Dar Al Kotob” at Bab el-Khalq district today morning.

This was in the presence of Minister of Culture Enas Abdel Dayem, other ministers, Cairo governor, Awqaf Minister Mohamed Gomaa, UAE ambassador to Egypt, and other statesmen.

On his part, Madbouli praised Al-Qasimi’s presence in the inauguration ceremony after offering his renovation grant for the building.

Prime minister asserted Egypt will always be a beacon of culture all over the world.

In the same context, minister of culture clarified that the library reopening is considered a new victory for Egyptian culture, as it became more like international ones.

The renovation process led to building new halls with latest technology to preserve rare national heritage, in addition to a showroom for displaying historic properties like manuscripts, papyruses, prints.

It’s noticeable that “Dar Al Kotob” dates back to 149 years ago and was constructed after a decree issued by Khepe Ismail in 1870.

This library is the first national one in the Arab world that resembles those in Europe; also it includes all precious books of all times.

Initially, the library was constructed in the basement of Prince Mostafa Fadel’s Saray, then it had a separated building at Bab el-Khalq district, and finally its recent building overlooking the river since 1970's.