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Egypt to restore historic synagogue

The Egyptian government announced the launch of restoration works at the Ben Ezra Synagogue in Old Cairo, as part of efforts to revive Jewish heritage and attract more tourists to the country.

Cairo synagogue
This picture taken on May 14, 2021, shows an aerial view of Cairo's historic district, showing the Mosque of Amr ibn al-Aas 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, and theBen Ezra Jewish Synagogue. — AMIR MAKAR/AFP via Getty Images

CAIRO — On April 18, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the start of restoration work at the Ben Ezra Synagogue in the Religious Complex of historic Cairo. Archaeologists and analysts say the Egyptian government's attention to Jewish heritage is in part a bid to attract more tourists.

Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt Mustafa Waziri said in a press statement that the synagogue located inside the Babylon Fortress is considered the oldest synagogue in Egypt. The last restoration work at the site was in 1991, he said.

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