Mount Sinai is a place where Moses was to receive the ten commandments. Many also believe that this is a place where, according to the Bible and the Koran, God spoke to the prophet of a burning bush. There is also the VI-century monastery of St. Catherine, run by the Greek Orthodox Church. This virgin area, which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, can become a luxurious mega-kurort. Elegant hotels, villas and commercial bazaars are already being built nearby.
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As BBC reminds, one of the worldly places in the world is also home to the traditional Bedouin community, the Jebeley tribe. This tribe, known as the watchtower of Saint Catherine, has already been forced to demolish its homes and camps without any compensation. They were even forced to take the bodies from the graves at the local cemetery to make room for a new parking lot.
Greece is a foreign power that spoke the most famous about Egyptian plans because of its connections with the monastery.
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As emphasized by the BBC, the tensions between Athens and Cairo increased after the Egyptian court ruled in May that the oldest uninterruptedly existing Christian monastery was only “entitled to use” the land on which it is located and archaeological religious sites that are located in its area.
One of the most holy places in the world turns into a luxurious mega-kurort
The Archbishop of Ieronymos II of Athens, the head of the Church of Greece, quickly condemned the ruling, and the Greek Orthodox patriarchate of Jerusalem indicated that the holy place – over which he exercises church jurisdiction – received a protective letter from the prophet Muhammad himself.
It was found that the Byzantine monastery – in which there is also a small mosque built in the time of Amimids – was “a symbol of peace between Christians and Muslims, and a refuge for hope for a world in conflict.”
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In 2021, Egypt began a transmission project sponsored by the great state for tourists. The plan includes the opening of hotels, ecological shelters and a large center for visitors, as well as the extension of a small airport and a cable car to Moses' Mountain. The government promotes this project as “the gift of Egypt for the whole world and all religions.”
In 2023, UNESCO emphasized its fears and called Egypt to stop development, check its influence and develop a protection plan. Work on the transformation of a holy place for millions of people into an exclusive resort was temporarily suspended due to financial issues. Nevertheless, the entire El-Raha plain-overlooking the monastery of St. Catherine – has already been transformed. It continues, among others Construction of new roads.
