Egypt to make oldest Islamic capital in Africa into open museum

Egypt is planning to turn the city of Fustat, the oldest Islamic capital in Egypt and Africa, into an open museum that offers tourists a distinctive experience.
This picture taken on May 14, 2021, shows an aerial view of Egypt's capital Cairo's Nile island of Manial al-Roda (top) and the historic old Cairo district (bottom).
This picture taken on May 14, 2021, shows an aerial view of Egypt's capital Cairo's Nile island of Manial al-Roda (top) and the historic old Cairo district (bottom), showing the Mosque of Amr ibn al-Aas (the first mosque established in Egypt in AD 641-642), and the Religious Complex built atop the Babylon-in-Egypt fortress, which includes the 10th-century Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, the Coptic Orthodox Church of St. Mary (also known as "The Hanging Church"), and the 19th-century Ben Ezra Jewish Synagogue. - AMIR MAKAR/AFP via Getty Images
HaniSameer.jpg
Hani Sameer
@hanisameer82

CAIRO — The Egyptian government announced on Aug. 23 that Egypt seeks to breathe new life into the ancient city of Fustat — the oldest Islamic capital in Africa — by turning it into an open-air museum for visitors from across the world.

The announcement came during a meeting between Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly and officials in charge of the Fustat Gardens development project.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.

Videos

See more