Controversy sparked in Egypt after disappearance of chandeliers of Imam Hussein Mosque

Egyptians were shocked by the news of the disappearance of 73 antique chandeliers at the Imam Hussein Mosque, peace be upon him, which is one of the most important architectural and religious masterpieces in the capital, Cairo.

Egyptians were shocked by the news of the disappearance of 73 antique chandeliers at the Imam Hussein Mosque, peace be upon him, which is one of the most important architectural and religious masterpieces in the capital, Cairo.

The news of the disappearance of the chandeliers sparked widespread controversy especially that it came days after the Egyptian Football Association announced the disappearance of the African Cup of Nations and a set of shields and sports decorations from its headquarters.

Commentators and activists interested in antiquities considered what happened as evidence of widespread neglect and corruption, describing the scene as absurd and surreal. Some of them called on the competent authorities to expedite the opening of an investigation and confront those they described as “heritage and history merchants”.

The discussion about the lost chandeliers has moved from social media to media channels and then to online journalism.

The mosque was built by the Fatimids in the year 549 AH (1154 AD), and each corner of it contains monuments attesting to different periods of the history of Egypt, as it includes one of the oldest copies of the Holy Qur’an and a room that includes some of the belongings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him and his family.