His Highness the Aga Khan speaking at the inauguration of the restoration of the “Blue Mosque” in Cairo, 2 May 2015. ( Photo: AKTC/Gary Otte via AKDN)
And let us be reminded, too, that in undertaking this work, we are not only attending to our own Islamic heritage, but also preserving an essential part of the patrimony of all humankind.
I can say to you today that the potential power of Islamic cultures is such that the Ummah is capable of achieving global recognition for its amazing heritage of unique spaces and buildings.
Cairo, Egypt, 02/05/2015 – Restoration of the 14th century Amir Aqsunqur “Blue Mosque” in Cairo’s Al-Darb al-Ahmar district has been completed by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC) as part of the larger Al-Darb al-Ahmar Urban Regeneration Programme.
His Highness the Aga Khan speaking at the inauguration of the restoration of the “Blue Mosque” in Cairo, 2 May 2015. ( Photo: AKTC/Gary Otte via AKDN)
His Highness the Aga Khan meeting with Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab of Egypt on 2 May 2015. (Image credit: Government of Egypt via AKDN)
Inauguration of the restoration of the “Blue Mosque” in Cairo. (Photo: AKTC/Gary Otte via AKDN)
Restoration efforts included the conservation of delicate marble panels and Iznik ceramic tiles and large-scale roofing and façade conservation. – Photo: AKTC/Gary Otte
The restoration, executed by teams of 60 to 80 craftsmen and conservators, included the removal of temporary structural supports installed following the 1992 earthquake and the installation of seismic retrofit measures, particularly in the minaret base, that will reinforce the durability of the building in the event of an earthquake. – Photo: AKTC/Gary Otte
The courtyard of the 14th century Amir Aqsunqur “Blue Mosque” after restoration. The Mosque had been closed since 1992 due to damage suffered from an earthquake. – Photo: AKTC/Gary Otte
The minaret of the 14th century Amir Aqsunqur “Blue Mosque”. The restoration was undertaken by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Antiquities and the Governorate of Cairo with the support of the World Monuments Fund and the Selz Foundation. – Photo: AKTC/Gary Otte
I remember well when the seeds for our cultural engagement in Cairo were first planted at a seminar more than thirty years ago.
The Aga Khan Trust for Culture strives to approach such opportunities through a multi-tier, multi-dimensional strategy, drawing on experts not only from fields such as archaeology, conservation, restoration, and engineering, but also from the worlds of finance, tourism, education, sanitation and public health – among others. The cultural components of such projects are numerous, varied, and much less finite than most other development initiatives. The Trust therefore remains engaged with its projects, as will be the case here in Egypt, for long periods.
Ismailimail 