Egypt, US Inaugurate Renovations in Historic Cairo

People walk in front of the "Sabil-Kuttab of Ruqayya Dudu" following extensive renovations carried out in partnership between Egypt's Tourism and Antiquities Ministry and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), ensuring sustainable management of historic sites at Souk al-Silah district in Old Cairo, Egypt August 18, 2024. (Reuters)

Egyptian officials and the US ambassador inaugurated renovations of several monuments and buildings in Historic Cairo, including the Bimaristan al-Muayyad Sheikh, a hospital complex built in 1420 A.D.

The building is notable for its giant crenulated facade and inlaid kufic Arabic inscriptions.

"It is a new policy the government is following, which is to merge civil society to help preserve the antiquities," Mohamed Ismael, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said.

The building will be used for cultural functions with the involvement of the neighborhood's people, he added.

Other monuments restored with US Agency for International Development help and inaugurated on Sunday included the 18th century Sabil Kuttab of Ruqayya Dudu and the 14th century Gate of Manjak al-Silahdar.