Cultural heritage

Egypt to document cinematic heritage

The Egyptian Ministry of Culture’s National Center for Cinema has launched a project to digitize information about major players in the Egyptian film industry over the decades.

A correspondent in Egypt | Egypt | Jul 22, 2021

Omar Sharif and Faten Hamama in a scene from the 1954 Egyptian film "Siraa Fil-Wadi" ("The Blazing Sun," also known as "Struggle in the Valley"). They fell in love during the filming and were married from 1955-74; both died in 2015 at age 83.

Egypt plans another Pharaonic parade, this time in Luxor

After the success of the Pharaohs' Golden Parade, Egypt is preparing for the grand reopening of the Great Processional Way in Luxor.

Salwa Samir | Culture | Jul 18, 2021

Idlib authorities begin restoration of historic mosque

The government affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham in Syria’s Idlib is restoring the historic Great Mosque, which was severely damaged by Syrian government shelling.

Mohammed Hardan | Syria | Jul 14, 2021

Restoration work at Great Mosque in Idlib

Egyptian researcher saves ancient sites from termites

An Egyptian researcher has patented an organic substance to kill termites; a Japanese company funded her research and manufactured the product.

Salwa Samir | Egypt | Jul 8, 2021

Nada Zeineddin taking samples of damaged parts to find a way to kill termites in Islamic city of el-Qasr in Dakhla Oasis, Egypt.

Uzbek jihadis destroy antiquities in Idlib Museum

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham tries to manage the even more radical groups under its rule.

Khaled al-Khateb | Syria | Jun 21, 2021

Gaza antiquities among casualties of Israel-Hamas war

Once again, the recent Israeli airstrikes on Gaza heavily damaged Palestinian antiquities and cultural heritage sites in violation of international law.

Hadeel Al Gherbawi | Palestine | Jun 20, 2021

Egyptian Museum of Antiquities gets makeover to compete for tourists

The Egyptian Museum of Antiquities in downtown Cairo's Tahrir Square is undergoing a facelift that tourism officials and curators hope will allow it to compete with the Grand Egyptian Museum, soon to open its doors to visitors.

Shahira Amin | Culture | Jun 13, 2021

The Takeaway: US looks to Gulf to help break deadlock in Nile Dam dispute

Egypt, Ethiopia reshape security alignments in Horn of Africa; Erdogan readies for make-or-break summit with Biden; Lapid emerges as arbiter of Israeli politics; Israeli Arab community split on coalition government; update on Gaza.

Andrew Parasiliti, Elizabeth Hagedorn, Joe Snell | Egypt | Jun 9, 2021

This file photo taken on Dec. 26, 2019 shows a general view of the Blue Nile river as it passes through the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), near Guba in Ethiopia.

Egypt traces relics of Ramses III back to Saudi Arabia

An Egyptian archaeological mission is preparing to launch an excavation project in Saudi Arabia after several discoveries showed that ancient Egyptian King Ramses III had a presence in the Arabian Peninsula.

Hagar Hosny | Culture | Jun 6, 2021

A sparrow perches in a recess along a wall adorned with reliefs at the Mortuary Temple of the 20th dynasty Pharaoh Ramses III at Medinet Habu, on the west bank of the Nile outside Luxor, Egypt, April 10, 2021.

Turkish president unveils new mosque in heart of Istanbul

Building the mosque in the center of Turkey’s largest city has symbolic value regarding the struggle between secularism and Islamic conservatism in the country.

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | May 28, 2021

A man passes by a Turkish anti riot police officer stands guard during the Friday prayers during the inauguration of a 4000-capacity mosque in Istanbul's iconic Taksim square on May 28, 2021.

Israeli war adds scars to Palestinian psyche

Activists see Israel’s bombing of cultural centers, bookstores and other cultural institutions in the Gaza Strip, as well as the killing of a 17-year-old in a refugee camp in the West Bank, as an attempt to obliterate Palestine’s cultural identity.

Hanady Salah | Palestine | May 26, 2021

Palestinian fears rise as settlers visit synagogue ruins in Jericho

Israeli settlers' increased visits to the ruins of two synagogues in the Jericho area in the West Bank worry Palestinians.

Taghreed Ali | Palestine | May 3, 2021

mosaic floor of ancient synagogue in Jericho

Palestinian dancer jailed in Israel

Palestinians are accusing Israel of arbitrarily cracking down on cultural expression.

Taghreed Ali | Palestine | May 2, 2021

Dancers with El-Funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe perform during the opening night of the Palestine International Festival, Ramallah, West Bank, July 2, 2009.

Erdogan is MENA’s most popular leader, Arab Barometer finds

Turkey's promotion of cultural heritage, including through its tourism and entertainment sectors, is one reason for Erdogan's popularity. However, the perception of the Ottoman legacy is gradually shifting from one of praise to one of condemnation toward Turkish policies.

Al-Monitor Staff | News Brief | Apr 20, 2021

In this handout picture released by the Turkish presidential press office, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) and invited guests attend Friday prayers at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque during the building's first official prayers after being reconverted into a mosque on July 24, 2020, in Istanbul, Turkey.

New archaeological discovery in St. Hilarion Monastery

In cooperation with Palestinian experts, a French antiquities mission found graves dating back to the Byzantine era at the site of St. Hilarion in the western Gaza Strip.

Ahmad Abu Amer | Palestine | Apr 13, 2021

Cultural heritage

Egypt to document cinematic heritage

The Egyptian Ministry of Culture’s National Center for Cinema has launched a project to digitize information about major players in the Egyptian film industry over the decades.

Egypt plans another Pharaonic parade, this time in Luxor

Idlib authorities begin restoration of historic mosque

Egyptian researcher saves ancient sites from termites

Uzbek jihadis destroy antiquities in Idlib Museum

Gaza antiquities among casualties of Israel-Hamas war

Egyptian Museum of Antiquities gets makeover to compete for tourists

The Takeaway: US looks to Gulf to help break deadlock in Nile Dam dispute

Egypt traces relics of Ramses III back to Saudi Arabia

Turkish president unveils new mosque in heart of Istanbul

Israeli war adds scars to Palestinian psyche

Palestinian fears rise as settlers visit synagogue ruins in Jericho

Palestinian dancer jailed in Israel

Erdogan is MENA’s most popular leader, Arab Barometer finds

New archaeological discovery in St. Hilarion Monastery

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