Re-opening of Al-Maridani Mosque, Darb el Ahmar
Cairo, 28 May 2024
Remarks by
Ambassador Christian Berger,
Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt
Dear Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, dear Luis Monreal, ambassadors, colleagues, friends, ladies and gentlemen,
This is a great opportunity to reaffirm the EU’s commitment to conserve and promote the restoration of cultural heritage, working in partnership with national and local authorities, and contributing to a sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development, aiming specifically at providing opportunities of sustainable economic growth around the restored heritage sites.
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture has designed and carried out the first project in Darb el Ahmar setting out a touristic path and the rehabilitation of this jewel of a mosque, the Mosque of Amir Altinbugha al Maridani.
The EU contribution to the projects is around 1.8 € million over a period of around 5 years (April 2018- August 2024). The projects’s aim is to preserve and celebrate Cairo’s rich Islamic cultural heritage, as well as promote cultural tourism as a major stimulus for local socio-economic development.
Since September 2022, more than 10000 tourists have visited the project and 8 capacity-building trainings for local heritage employees and staff of the Ministry of Antiquities and Tourism have taken place. The project successfully participated in the Berlin International Travel Trade Show (ITB) where Islamic Cairo together with the EU project was promoted to a large international audience as an upcoming tourist destination.
Our experience demonstrates that sustainable results are possible only through the cooperation with local authorities and public institutions, especially in cultural heritage, which is such an important pillar of Egypt’s identity and this is why I am glad to see here today Dr. Mohamed Ismail, the CEO of the Supreme Council of Antiquities.
The central location of the Maridani mosque, at the crossroads between the main Souqs, the Bab al-Zuweyla area, Darb al-Ahmar monuments and access routes along the Al-Azhar Park, makes it an ideal centre point for a cultural heritage circuit.
The building itself, in spite of the wounds of times, is a testimony to the best architecture and workmanship of the Bahri Mamluk period in Cairo. At the time of its construction in 1340, it was one of the most extravagantly decorated mosques in Cairo. Its history and luxuriousness are explained by the life and prominence of al-Maridani, Cairo’ chief of police and later governor of Aleppo, as it was built with the patronage of his father-in-law, the sultan, and with significant donations from al-Maridani’s own fortune.
It is the second time that Europe plays an active role in restoring the beauty of this mosque. Already from 1895 to 1903 the Austro-Hungarian Max Herz Pasha as the chief architect to the Comité de Conservation des Monuments de l’Art Arabe was instrumental in saving and restoring this mosque and moving here the small Ottoman fountain from the madrasa mosque of Sultan Hasan.
And now 120 years later, the European Union is proud to play a vital role in safeguarding the legacy of cultural heritage. We support restoration projects, promote cultural exchange programs, community development and sustainable tourism. This mosque stands as a bridge between generations, its design echoing the architectural styles that have shaped Islamic history. Within these walls, not only prayers will be offered, but we also find a vibrant space for learning and cultural exchange, exploring the artistic and historical significance of Islamic architecture and traditions.
Once again, thank you Agha Khan Trust for Culture, especially Sherif Erian, its engine and heartbeat, for the restoration and for the wonderful tourist route that you have built around it.