An independent campaign has unveiled a “terrifying” surge in illegal excavations by citizens in the slums of the coastal province of Alexandria, declaring that it had seized several antiquities during its activities.
Mohamed al-Akram, Alexandria coordinator at Who Loves Egypt, said the campaign had seized numerous artifacts in Tabya district in Alexandria, which, he said, prompted them to launch awareness campaigns against the practice, which also extended to other governorates.
Ahlam Ramadan, a senior campaign member, said they had embarked on an initiative in Cairo that seeks to educate citizens on the importance of archaeological sites as a national treasure.
Reham Radwan, WLE’s coordinator in Cairo’s popular district of Gamaliya, said they had been on weekly visits to Old Cairo districts for the awareness activities.
Egypt has witnessed assaults and incidents of vandalism in museums and archaeological sites following the 2011 uprising. Authorities have been struggling to combat illegal excavations by civilians over the past few years by tracking and seeking to retrieve ancient antiquities auctioned abroad.
Additionally, the campaign says it is calling for improved conditions for slums inhabitants, the creation of job opportunities and the reinvigoration of tourism.
