Egypt razes historic cemetery to make way for development
The Straits Times|November 11, 2024
Twenty years after burying him, Egyptian architect Ahmed el-Meligui was forced to exhume his grandfather's remains from a historic Cairo cemetery that is being partially razed to accommodate the growing mega-city.

"Death itself is a tragedy. Here, you are reliving that tragedy all over again," said the 43-year-old, who had 23 other relatives also removed from their family tomb, located in a sprawling cemetery known as the City of the Dead in Old Cairo.

Since 2020, thousands of graves have been demolished at the Unesco-listed World Heritage Site, one of the oldest necropolises in the Muslim world.

It is the latest piece of Cairo's history to be torn apart as the authorities aggressively remake parts of the city, a long-time cultural beacon of the Arab world.

The Egyptian government says the cemetery's destruction is necessary to build new roads and bridges that they hope will improve traffic in the congested, densely populated capital, home to around 22 million people.

But it is a painful ordeal for families like Mr Meligui's, whose 105-year-old family tomb, built in traditional Islamic style with grand wooden doors and a spacious courtyard, is slated for demolition.

"I had to separate the bones of the men from the women," the father of three said, describing an Islamic burial custom.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 11, 2024-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 11, 2024-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS THE STRAITS TIMESAlle anzeigen
K-pop star Psy's home temporarily seized due to penalty arrears
The Straits Times

K-pop star Psy's home temporarily seized due to penalty arrears

Singer Psy recently had his luxury home in Seoul temporarily seized by the authorities after he failed to pay an administrative penalty imposed by the district office, local media outlets reported on Nov 25.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2024
BTS' Jimin and Jung Kook face off at Billboard Music Awards
The Straits Times

BTS' Jimin and Jung Kook face off at Billboard Music Awards

K-pop supergroup BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook will face off at the upcoming Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs), which will take place on Dec 12.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
November 28, 2024
Stefanie Sun fails to nab Taipei Arena for 2025 world tour
The Straits Times

Stefanie Sun fails to nab Taipei Arena for 2025 world tour

It has been a decade since homegrown Mandopop star Stefanie Sun last headlined her own tour, so when her upcoming world tour Aut Nihilo Sun Yanzi In Concert was announced recently, fans went into a frenzy.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 28, 2024
Society is sick': Actor Ryan Lian after netizens laugh at him for being attacked
The Straits Times

Society is sick': Actor Ryan Lian after netizens laugh at him for being attacked

Local actor Ryan Lian has hit back at netizens who were unkind to him after learning that he was injured in a recent knife attack.

time-read
1 min  |
November 28, 2024
The Straits Times

Binge-worthy K-variety series is a celebration of tenacity and sisterhood

Iron Girls follows the trials and triumphs of four award-winning South Korean actresses who signed up for the toughest roles of their lives – participants of the 2024 World Triathlon Cup in Tongyeong.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 28, 2024
Problemista's whimsy is wearying, Blitz a conventional WWII drama
The Straits Times

Problemista's whimsy is wearying, Blitz a conventional WWII drama

Alejandro (Julio Torres) from El Salvador is an aspiring toy designer in New York City. With time running out on his American work visa, he becomes personal assistant to an erratic art critic (Tilda Swinton) as his only hope for a sponsored residency.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 28, 2024
Moana 2 charts familiar waters, but stays buoyant
The Straits Times

Moana 2 charts familiar waters, but stays buoyant

Disney's second voyage with Moana dives deeper into Pacific culture

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 28, 2024
Shrek director tackles animation taboo in Netflix fairy tale Spellbound
The Straits Times

Shrek director tackles animation taboo in Netflix fairy tale Spellbound

Animated films tackling parent separation and divorce are few and far between.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 28, 2024
New head hopes to offer alternative to 'junk food'
The Straits Times

New head hopes to offer alternative to 'junk food'

General manager of SGIFF Jeremy Chua courts young viewers and social media

time-read
4 Minuten  |
November 28, 2024
Music kings take back their crowns
The Straits Times

Music kings take back their crowns

Must-see MV: G-Dragon – 2024 Mama performance medley

time-read
2 Minuten  |
November 28, 2024