Authorities in Cairo have recently destroyed the historic Mahmoud Pasha al-Falaky Mosque, triggering backlash from heritage advocates and locals who fear the erasure of the city’s rich cultural history. The destruction of ancient cemeteries has also raised questions about the balance between modernization and preserving Egypt’s heritage.
The sight of bulldozers flattening the iconic dome and minaret of the Mahmoud Pasha al-Falaky Mosque on April 23rd was a stark reminder of the ongoing urban transformation in Cairo. Located within the Imam al-Shafei cemetery, the mosque is part of a 19th-century funerary complex that had long been a symbol of Egypt’s vibrant history. But as authorities continue their urban development projects, historical landmarks like the Falaky Mosque are being lost.
Destruction of Cultural Landmarks Amidst Urban Expansion
Cairo, a city known for its historic sites and rich heritage, has seen rapid urbanization in recent years. The demolition of the Mahmoud Pasha al-Falaky Mosque marks a troubling trend that many locals and heritage conservationists fear could lead to further destruction of historical landmarks.
Eyewitness accounts and reports suggest that the demolition took place suddenly, with no apparent attempts to preserve the structure or even document the process. “There were no scaffolds. How could this have been done in a scientific manner?” a researcher commented to Mada Masr, highlighting the disregard for proper procedures in preserving the city’s cultural wealth.
The Imam al-Shafei cemetery, where the mosque stood, is a significant site that houses the graves of royal family members, intellectual elites, and some of Egypt’s most influential historical figures. Known as the “cemetery of the pashas,” it was designated a heritage site to protect these invaluable remnants of Egypt’s past. Despite this, the site has been targeted for urban development as part of a broader effort to accommodate Cairo’s growing population.
The Expanding Metropolis and Its Cost on Heritage
The demolition of the Falaky Mosque is not an isolated incident. In fact, it is part of a larger campaign to clear out historical cemeteries in central Cairo. The most notable is the Imam al-Shafei cemetery, but other sites, including the Bab al-Nasr cemetery, have also been affected.
In the case of the Bab al-Nasr cemetery—one of Cairo’s oldest communal burial grounds—previous demolitions were carried out in 2023 to make way for a parking facility to service a Bohra sect hotel. Now, despite earlier government assurances that further demolitions would not take place, another 120 square meters of the cemetery are being razed.
The Bab al-Nasr cemetery has significant cultural value as the final resting place of Sufi saints, Levantine traders, and the city’s working class. Its removal is yet another blow to Egypt’s deep-rooted history and one more step toward an uncertain future for the city’s heritage.
Residents, caretakers, and even the families of those buried in these ancient cemeteries have been informed of the demolitions and are being relocated to Robaiky Cemetery in the 10th of Ramadan City. This, however, has done little to assuage the growing anger among local communities who are now displaced from their ancestral resting places.
Heritage vs. Development: Who Decides What to Preserve?
While urban development is inevitable in fast-growing cities like Cairo, the destruction of historic sites raises important questions about the value of preserving heritage versus pursuing economic growth.
The Egyptian government has argued that these demolitions are necessary to make way for the expanding metropolis, with the aim of improving infrastructure and housing to accommodate Cairo’s ever-growing population. Yet, critics argue that the city’s unique historical and cultural identity is being systematically erased.
The removal of the Falaky Mosque and the cemeteries is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. The government’s push for modernization has sparked a larger debate about the need for a sustainable balance between development and the preservation of cultural sites. Preservationists argue that efforts to modernize the city should include protecting these irreplaceable historical landmarks, which are part of Egypt’s national identity.
For many locals, the cemetery demolitions are not just about losing a physical place. They symbolize the erasure of memory, culture, and a direct link to the past.
International Backlash and the Call for Immediate Action
The global response to these demolitions has been swift, with international heritage groups condemning the destruction of Cairo’s cultural sites. UNESCO, which has historically supported the preservation of Egypt’s heritage, has expressed concern over the ongoing demolitions. With Cairo being home to some of the world’s most significant ancient sites, experts worry about the long-term consequences of losing these historic landmarks.
“Once these sites are gone, they’re gone forever,” said a preservation expert from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS). “The loss of these cemeteries and mosques will leave a hole in Cairo’s historical fabric that future generations will never be able to fill.”
In response to the backlash, the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities has promised to review its development plans, although there have been no concrete assurances about reversing the demolitions or halting the destruction of other heritage sites.
Moving Forward: What’s Next for Cairo’s Historic Sites?
While some in Cairo hold out hope that there will be a pushback against the demolitions, others fear that the loss of the Falaky Mosque and ancient cemeteries is just the beginning. The growing pressure for urban expansion continues to outweigh the voices calling for the preservation of the city’s cultural and historical identity.
For now, Egypt’s heritage remains under threat, and locals are left grappling with the impact of modernization on their city’s rich legacy.
