PM: Al-Suyuti cemetery revival project supports preservation of Egypt’s historic sites

Cairo is set to transform the Al-Suyuti cemetery, a Mamluk-era burial ground for prominent Muslim scholars, into a vibrant cultural and tourist hub. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly reviewed the revival project on Monday, emphasizing its role in preserving Egypt's rich heritage.

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The project to revive the Al-Suyuti (Mamluk) cemetery in Cairo... is in line with the government’s strategy to restore historic areas, enhance their value and promote them as distinctive tourist destinations showcasing Egypt’s cultural heritage.

The initiative aims to restore the historic site, which boasts over 1,000 years of history and is considered the world's largest Islamic funerary complex. The project envisions the cemetery as a "garden of collective memory," an open-air museum showcasing Islamic art and architecture, and an educational trail detailing the lives of those interred there.

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The restoration works in this area send a message to the world that Egypt was committed to preserving its heritage.

Plans include developing a visitor center, heritage interpretation trails, a specialized library, a traditional crafts center, and spaces for cultural events. The project also seeks to integrate the cemetery with nearby landmarks like Fustat Park and the Mosque of Amr Ibn Al-As, creating a cohesive historical experience.

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The area, which evolved over more than 1,000 years, is considered the world’s largest Islamic funerary complex.

Officials highlighted the site's significance, noting it contains tombs of leading Muslim scholars from various schools of thought, making it a crucial destination for visitors from across the Islamic world. Restoration works on several distinctive funerary domes are already underway, with the project expected to attract significant visitor numbers and complement broader heritage preservation efforts in Historic Cairo.

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The project envisions transforming the Al-Suyuti (Mamluk) cemetery into a “garden of collective memory,” an open-air museum of Islamic art and architecture, and a cultural and educational trail that tells the history of the cemetery through the lives of the figures buried there, while preserving its sanctity and funerary character.