Between the Mausoleum of Shajarat al-Durr, the shrines of Al-Sayyidi Al-Ja‘fari, Al-Sayyida ‘Atika, Al-Sayyida Ruqayya, and the Ibn Tulun Mosque, lies the historic Al-Khalifa neighborhood: a neighborhood that combines historic monuments and Islamic architecture, with culture and a vibrant local community. Out of strong belief in the importance of preserving national heritage at this hidden gem, Egyptian architectural historian, May El-Ibrashy, founded Athar Lina in 2012. A conservation initiative, Athar Lina (The Monument is Ours) was launched to protect, promote, and develop the cultural heritage and historic monuments at Al-Khalifa neighborhood, and utilize it to support the local community. “Al-Khalifa is a special neighborhood because it has heritage from several eras, with monuments from the Fatimid, the Mamluk, and the Ayyubid eras. It is like an extension or a continuation of Al-Muizz street,” says Ehsan Abushadi, Program Coordinator at Athar Lina. Stretching from Ibn Tulun Mosque in the north to the Al-Sayyida Nafisa Shrine in the south, Al-Khalifa has a combination of historic and Islamic architecture, monuments, and heritage sites. With a belief that conservation can be a vehicle for development, Athar Lina focuses on conservation and rehabilitation projects, cultural…
Athar Lina: Promoting Cultural Heritage at Al-Khalifa Neighborhood
November 23, 2022
