Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA ), Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Ambassador Christian Berger, Ambassador of the European Union to Cairo, Mr. Luis Monreal, Director of the Aga Khan Foundation, and Major General Ibrahim Abdel Hadi, Deputy Governor of Cairo, opened the second and final phase of the restoration work of the Al-Tanbugha Al-Maridani Mosque in the Darb Al-Ahmar area.
During the opening, a short documentary film was shown about the development work carried out by the Aga Khan Foundation in the Al-Darb Al-Ahmar area and the establishment of Al-Azhar Park, as well as the work of the mosque restoration project.
Khaled began his speech by expressing his happiness that today is the first inauguration in which he has participated since assuming the position of Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stressing that the opening of the second phase of the mosque restoration project comes as a continuation of the achievements witnessed by the Supreme Council of Antiquities to preserve the heritage of Egypt's archaeological and cultural heritage, and in continuation of its role as a scientific institution that preserves antiquities.
Khaled explained that the second phase of the mosque’s restoration work was carried out under the full supervision of the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, represented by the Supreme Council of Antiquities, in accordance with internationally applicable archaeological rules, and with funding from the European Union and the Aga Khan Foundation for Cultural Services, at a cost amounting to 32 million Egyptian pounds, and in cooperation with The Ministry of Endowments, praising the existing and fruitful cooperation with all concerned parties and institutions working to preserve the cultural heritage.
The restoration work was carried out meticulously, taking into account the preservation of the visual and historical identity of the mosque and its archaeological character by highlighting its abundant inscriptions and arts of Islamic architecture. The latest systems and methods in restoration work were used, making the mosque appear in its most beautiful image. The Supreme Council of Antiquities had begun restoration work on the mosque within the framework of the cooperation protocol between the Council and the Aga Khan Foundation in 2018, and the work of the first phase of the project was opened in October 2021. The second phase work continued for approximately 18 months.
He also talked about the importance of this project and its role in integrating the local community surrounding this area, whose happiness we all witness with the work of development, change, and integration between it and heritage and civilization. This is one of the most prominent axes of the strategy of the Supreme Council of Antiquities during the coming period to enhance greater community awareness and familiarize the residents of the areas surrounding the monument with their history and their participation in developing and maintaining it.
In his speech, Mr. Luis Monreal expressed his happiness at the completion of this important project, especially since he witnessed and followed all the stages of its work, which began a few years ago. It is also an addition to the important projects in the Darb al-Ahmar region and contributes to providing a unique tourist experience to the public and tourists of the region. He also thanked the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and everyone who participated in this project from the work team and all the partners who played an important role in helping to complete the work. He noted a visit to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat this morning, expressing his happiness with this visit and the unique cultural edifice he witnessed during it.
Ambassador Christian Berger expressed the European Union’s pride in participating in this important project, given the mosque’s distinguished location within the tourist trail of the Darb al-Ahmar region, stressing the European Union’s commitment to work and cooperate to enrich the cultural and civilizational heritage, achieve a sustainable economy within the archaeological and cultural sites, and support cultural tourism and knowledge.
Regarding the work of the restoration project, Brigadier General Hisham Samir explained that the work of the second phase included the restoration of the three remaining porticoes of the mosque and the courtyard, where the decorative wooden ceilings were restored and treated, and the archaeological mortar on the interior and exterior facades of the mosque was restored.