Thousands of Visitors Flock to Cairo’s Historic ‘Al-Muizz Street’ in Ramadan

A bazaar on Al-Mu'izz al-Din Illah Street, one of the most
important historical streets in the Islamic quarter of Cairo. — Photo
by AFP
A bazaar on Al-Mu'izz al-Din Illah Street, one of the most important historical streets in the Islamic quarter of Cairo. — Photo by AFP
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Thousands of Visitors Flock to Cairo’s Historic ‘Al-Muizz Street’ in Ramadan

A bazaar on Al-Mu'izz al-Din Illah Street, one of the most
important historical streets in the Islamic quarter of Cairo. — Photo
by AFP
A bazaar on Al-Mu'izz al-Din Illah Street, one of the most important historical streets in the Islamic quarter of Cairo. — Photo by AFP

The ‘Al-Muizz li-Din Allah al-Fatimi Street’ in the heart of Cairo was like many other streets with closed and neglected antiquities. However, in the past few years, the street has become a favorite destination for the fans of Islamic antiquities, especially during Ramadan, after the restoration and development works that turned it into an open Islamic museum.

During a tour in the historic street this Ramadan, Asharq Al-Awsat observed thousands of visitors flocking every night to enjoy its warm ambiances and take pictures of its huge historic buildings with the help of photographers who offer their services for little money.

In the absence of professional musicians and groups, the ‘Al-Muizz li-Din Allah al-Fatimi Street’ has been hosting amateurs who try to create joyful ambiances.

‘Al-Muizz’ street includes 38 rare sites that highlight the aesthetics of the Islamic architecture over nine centuries, from the Fatimid Caliphate to the end of the Ottoman Empire.

Dr. Raafat al-Nabrawi, professor of Islamic antiquities, said ‘Al-Muizz’ street is the richest Islamic antiquities street in the world, “featuring two rare historic complexes: The Sultan Qansuh Al-Ghuri and the Sultan Qalawun, in addition to historic mosques that are still being used for prayers.”

Nabrawi attributes the crowds in the historic street to the awareness that has grown over the past few years for the importance of heritage among Egyptians, especially the younger ones. He has also called the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to rapidly restore the antiquities that need an urgent intervention, prevent all kinds of violations, and ban the auto rickshaws that distort the visual and historic identity of the area.

In 2021, the ministry concluded a project that installed and upgraded the lightning systems in the historic street, equipping the facades and squares of historic buildings with high-end lamps.

‘Al-Muizz’ street is known with its unique archaeological buildings, some of which have turned into centers for artistic and cultural creativity, including the “House of Suhaymi”, the Sultan Qalawun complex featuring a mosque, a school and a dome inspired by the Mamluki architecture, and “Bab al-Futuh”, one of several famous gates in historic Cairo, as well as many ancient mosques including Al-Hakim Mosque, Al Muayyed Mosque, and the Aqmar Mosque.

While the northern part of the street (Al-Azhar Street: Bab al-Futuh) lures the largest number of visitors with its cafes, bazaars, and shops, the southern part, which stretches from Al-Azhar Street to “Bab Zuweila”, seems less popular. Despite featuring many antiquities, such as the Al- Muayyad Mosque and the lane of Muhammad Ali, its shops mostly sell clothes, fabrics and mattresses, and it is always crowded with people and rickshaws. Some of its ancient buildings also need restoration and external lighting, like those deployed in the northern part.

It’s worth noting that “Bab Zuweila” saw major historic events such as the hanging of the heads of messengers sent by Hulagu, leader of the Tatars, and the execution of the last Mamluk sultan, Tuman Bay. “Bab al-Futuh” was built by Jawhar al-Siqilli in 1087, and renewed by Prince Badr al-Jamali.



Eel-eating Japan Opposes EU Call for More Protection

People on bicycles cross a street under the hot sun in Tokyo on June 20, 2025. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)
People on bicycles cross a street under the hot sun in Tokyo on June 20, 2025. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)
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Eel-eating Japan Opposes EU Call for More Protection

People on bicycles cross a street under the hot sun in Tokyo on June 20, 2025. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)
People on bicycles cross a street under the hot sun in Tokyo on June 20, 2025. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP)

Japan's agriculture minister said Friday the country would oppose any call by the European Union to add eels to an endangered species list that would limit trade in them.

Eel is eaten worldwide but is particularly popular in Japan, where it is called "unagi" and traditionally served grilled after being covered in a sticky-sweet sauce.

Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters that the country carefully manages stock levels of the Japanese eel in cooperation with neighboring China, Taiwan and South Korea.

"There is a sufficient population, and it faces no extinction risk due to international trade," AFP quoted him as saying.

Japanese media have reported that the EU could soon propose that all eel species be added to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which limits trade of protected animals.

There are 19 species and subspecies of eel, many of them now threatened due to a range of factors including pollution and overfishing.

In 2014, the Japanese eel was listed as endangered, but not critically endangered, by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which cited factors including habitat loss, overfishing, pollution and migration barriers.

Protecting the animal is complicated by their complex life cycle, which unfolds over a vast area, and the many unknowns about how they reproduce.