Egypt is ready for the celebration of the third millennium. The celebration of the Path of the Holy Family is the responsibility of the Ministry of Tourism. The project of developing the archeological area in old Cairo (the archeological complex of religious sites] is found in that framework. The area contains Islamic, Coptic and Jewish monuments in addition to Pharaonic monuments of the late Pharaonic period.
Dr. Mamdouh Al-Beltagi, Minister of Tourism says: "The world is now preparing for the third millennium. Egypt’s gift for the world in this occasion is the [architectural] complex of religious sites in Old Cairo. It is considered an amazing complex of religious sites, which has the oldest worship places for the three religions. It highlights the tolerance of the Egyptian people and affirms that Egypt, along its long history, has been the land of tolerance, collaboration and peace." The Minister pointed out that this huge work is being done within the broader framework of the restoration of different monuments of Egypt’s united civilization with the planning and leadership of President Mubarak.
The Citizen Comes First:
Dr. Beltagi stresses that the development of Old Cairo area takes into consideration the social development of citizens in that district. That development includes establishing a commercial market "Al-Fustat Market" beside the bus stop in Bain Al-Duyoura ["between the monasteries"] Street. It consists of three commercial market complexes distributed along the street. The project also includes the developing of the walls surrounding the market and the fronts of buildings in Mar Girgis ["Saint George"] Street and fixing their entrances. In addition to that, the bus station and Hassan Anwar Street will be developed to suit the historical era and architectural nature of the area. Also, the roads and corridors connected to the area will be developed taking into consideration the shops and the workshops that will be removed and finding alternatives for them. The surrounding buildings will be restored and a complete characterization will be prepared to consider them for development. This will be done to preserve the historical nature of the area without harming the social nature that has been present for a long time.
The Minister added that the Ministry had encouraged the formation of an Egyptian NGO named "National [Egyptian] Heritage Revival Association" [NEHRA]. It was formed of intellectuals, professors of engineering and planning, and businessmen, Christians and Muslims. This association carries out by planning, executing] and financing the plan of the development project of the Path of the Holy Family through volunteer efforts on different stages. The first stage is from Farma in Sinai to Old Cairo. The development work will then continue in a deep humanitarian message about the unity of the Egyptian people and the historical uniqueness of Egypt as the land of coexistence, tolerance and peace. Dr. Beltagi pointed out that the Path of the Holy Family - after the development -would remain an important attraction for Egyptian tourism.
