Reuters News Agency reported that thousands of tombs in the historic Islamic cemetery, known as the City of the Dead, are under threat as a road and bridge expansion project aims to alleviate congestion in Cairo.
Conservationists and families have expressed concern over the destruction of burial sites, with many prominent families maintaining deep connections to the cemetery.
The government’s efforts to construct wide highways linking Cairo to a new capital have involved the removal of graves, prompting outrage and calls for preservation.
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ordered the formation of a committee to evaluate the situation and explore alternative solutions.
The UNESCO World Heritage site, spanning 10 square kilometres, holds significant cultural and historical value.
Specialists warn that without intervention, much of the City of the Dead’s rich history may be lost, risking the destruction of unique Islamic architecture and artifacts.
