Dozens of tourists are seen taking photos at the narrow corridor with ancient artistic photos hanged on its walls. Passersby speed up as they hear church bells, hurrying to attend the mass, though they are hindered by the stones and construction materials on alley of ‘Al-Sett Barbara’. They are surprised, however, by the construction works at the inside of the Mar Girgis church in Masr al-Qadima.
Worshippers never thought anyone would take advantage of the lack of law enforcement in the aftermath of 25 January revolution to build a residential building inside the church, but construction did not stop. The man began to rent the stores in the building, although many decisions were made ordering the demolition of the building.
A worker of the church spoke on condition of anonymity saying, “The owner took advantage of the security failure Egypt has been going through during the revolution. He removed an old building and constructed a residential one. He was keen not to demolish walls of the old building so it appears as an old antique of the church. It was also painted in the same color of the church to appear as an annex. The stories began to get higher every year. He turned the ground stores to tourist bazaars, an exchange office and others.”
The worker added that they addressed the Cairo security department and the governor to carry out the demolition decision, but no action was made.
Kamal Rasmy, an owner of an old real estate at the church, wanted to offer his house to the church, however, the building owner prevented him and others from doing so and called on them to sell him his apartments.
Priest Yaaqoub Tadros, of the church, said the church authorized authorities in question to intervene in the issue, adding that they have been looking for solution since 2011. However, he indicated that a solution could be found by the Cairo governorate administration and the Antiquities Ministry.
A source from the church told Al-Masry Al-Youm that the building owner is now demanding the church buy apartments in his building for the nuns’ monastery.
Meanwhile, Maher Sobhy, head of the district, said they addressed police more than once to enforce the demolition decision, adding that the delay in removing the building is blamed on the location of the building being inside an archaeological place, which requires special equipments in order not to affect the church.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
