Abassiya Psychiatric Hospital building was classified as a “historic landmark” by the committee of experts in Islamic and modern monuments on Tuesday. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), had formed the committee.
The classification saves the building from demolition. Businessmen had requested the building's destruction in order to transform the area into a commercial center.
“The classification includes the building and the garden around it,” Hawass said. “No one can come near it now, as it is an important part of Egypt’s history.”
He said that the SEA also plans to classify two Cairo parks, Andalus and Orman, as historical landmarks, in addition to the city’s aquarium and the zoo, in order to protect them from the possibility of future attempts to demolish them.
Dr. Ahmed Okasha, president of the World Psychiatric Association, had called Hawass to ask him to save the building. “Health Minister Hatem al-Gabali does not care for the poor,” he said. “His policies are met with widespread opposition.”
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
