Egypt’s Minister of Culture Farouk Hosni and Prince Karim Aga Khan, the current Shi’a Imam, will inaugurate two Islamic complex of Khayer Bek and Um El-Soltan Shaban at Al-Darbul Ahmar area in Historic Cairo. The two have been restored in collaboration with the Aga Khan Trust for Culture. The Minister and his guests will embark on a tour to inspect the restoration work.
Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) Dr. Zahi Hawass says that the restoration project came within the framework of the SCA’s collaboration with the Aga Khan foundation in protecting and restoring Islamic monuments in Egypt especially those in Cairo . Hawass explains that Khayer Bek Complex belong to a 16th century Mameluk prince Khayer Bek, Egypt’s first ruler under the Ottoman Empire in 1517.
This complex consist of a madrassa (school), Janim Al-Hamazaoui sabil (water fountain), Ibrahim Mustafazan house and house number 25. Louis Monreal head of Aga Khan International. the Um El-Soltan Shabaan complex consists of a school and a mosque. According to Hawass, it is a great example of a Mamluk architecture. It is one of the most important Mameluk monument built by the Mameluk Sultan Shabaan in 1369 which he dedicated to his mother Khond Berka.
The inauguration is scheduled for tomorrow, Friday October 26, 2007.