CAIRO — Islamic Cairo includes roughly 800 Islamic monuments, including mosques, hammams, water fountains and schools, each reflecting the architectural styles of every Islamic era in Egypt, beginning with the Muslim conquest by Amr ibn al-As (693-642) in the seventh century.

In recognition of this heritage, the Islamic World Organization for Education, Science and Culture (ISESCO) selected Cairo as the capital of Islamic culture 2020 last year. If it had not been for the outbreak of the coronavirus that restricted public events, April 5 would have been the first day of a whirlwind of festivals, cultural events and tours that would have put in the spotlight the archaeological and historical heritage of the Egyptian capital.

Director of the Historic Cairo Development Project Mahmoud Abdel Basset told Al-Monitor that the program, though postponed, aimed to celebrate the city’s heritage in a number of ways. He said, “Six commemorative medals will be issued for the first time on Islamic Cairo, and each medal will illustrate an architectural symbol from one of the Islamic eras that ruled Egypt, including the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan, Al-Azhar Mosque and the Mosque of Ibn Tulun.”

The program would highlight the role of the water carriers as a profession that has symbolized the history of Cairo. Tours of the monuments, photography exhibitions and art contests would also be included in the program.