The tomb of renowned Egyptian writer Taha Hussein appears likely to be demolished to make way for an overpass in the Old Cairo district of Egypt's capital.
Speculation that the tomb had been earmarked for demolition began in May when visitors noticed a red cross spray-painted on the entrance, similar to thousands of others in Cairo's historical City of the Dead — a medieval necropolis in Islamic Cairo — that are being removed for construction of a corridor connecting a complex network of new bridges.
Although there has been no official confirmation, sources from Cairo's governing authority told the Egyptian daily Al Masry Al Youm on Wednesday that Hussein's tomb would be removed this month, along with several others in Old Cairo's Al Khalifa neighbourhood.
This week the word “demolition” was added above the red cross. Photos of the markings circulated on social media were met with outrage from fans of Hussein's works, which are part of school curriculums all over the Middle East.
Buried at the tomb with Hussein are some of his descendants, several of whom were influential in their own right. They include his daughter Amina Taha Hussein, one of the first Egyptian women to receive a university degree, and her husband, Mohamed Hassan Al Zayat, a diplomat who played a central role in Egypt's negotiations with Israel and the US that led to the signing of the Camp David Accords and the Egypt-Israel peace treaty in 1979.
Egyptian author and researcher Galila Al Kadi condemned the demolition plan in a post on Facebook on Wednesday in which she said the water supply to the tomb had been cut off. Family tombs in Egypt are typically made up of a several rooms and a garden that are maintained by a custodian.
“We will sacrifice the remains of our scholars and writers, those people who created Egypt’s renaissance and enlightened the region with their art and knowledge. We have returned to a primitive age where bridges and corridors are sacred,” said Al Kadi, who wrote a history of the City of the Dead, a large portion of which is a Unesco heritage site.
According to owners of tombs that have already been demolished, families are given the option to remove the remains of deceased members for reburial elsewhere, such as new cemeteries outside Cairo that were opened specially for this purpose.
Hussein’s great-granddaughter, human rights activist Maha Aoun, phoned in to several talk shows in May after the initial reports about the imminent demolition of his tomb.
She told Al Nahar, a private television network, that when she asked about the reported demolition order, the Cairo governor issued a statement calling it a rumour and saying that the tomb would remain intact.
However, when demolition machinery was brought to the site a few days later, she submitted an enquiry to a city planning authority. The authority confirmed that there was a development project under way in the area but said exactly which tombs would need to go had not yet been decided, she said.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.
Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
PROFILE OF STARZPLAY
Date started: 2014
Founders: Maaz Sheikh, Danny Bates
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment/Streaming Video On Demand
Number of employees: 125
Investors/Investment amount: $125 million. Major investors include Starz/Lionsgate, State Street, SEQ and Delta Partners
Name: Brendalle Belaza
From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines
Arrived in the UAE: 2007
Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus
Favourite photography style: Street photography
Favourite book: Harry Potter
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: Dh289,000
