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Destruction of historical tombs raises controversy in Egypt

Architects and archaeologists in Egypt are angered by the demolition of the Tombs of the Mamluks in Cairo to establish a road project.
CAIRO, EGYPT - DECEMBER 15: People walk through a street in the poor neighbourhood of the "City of the Dead" on December 14, 2016 in Cairo, Egypt. The "City of the Dead" houses more than half a million people living inside the graveyard. Since the 2011 Arab Spring, Egyptians have been facing a crisis, the uprising brought numerous political changes, but also economic turmoil, increased terror attacks and the unravelling of the once strong tourism sector. In recent weeks Egypt has again been hit by multiple

CAIRO — Archaeologists and visitors of Cairo’s Mamluk Qarafa area — known as the City of the Dead — along Salah Salem Street took to social media July 20, calling on the government to stop the demolition of tombs to make way for a bridge-building project.

A picture of the decision approved by the Ministry of Housing, which funded and executed the Paradise Axis project, began circulating on social media, before it was deleted. According to the decision, the road, as per the report, passes through al-Ghafir cemetery, Mansheya Nasir and Duwaika area in Cairo.

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