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The NDP synagogue

in «Local & Regional» by moftasa

Warning! This post is very old and may contain information or opinions that are no longer valid or embarrassing.

In April 2008, in Hadayeq el Qobba I stumbled upon this synagogue which was turned into a public affairs office, NDP office, a nursery and a small mosque.

Taking photos is strictly prohibited. But I managed to snap some shots while claiming that I am studying architecture and interested in the building style.

This is apparently the most looked after synagogue in Egypt. Thanks to Farouk Hosni. Probably the next president of the UNESCO.

UPDATE: Yes, it is "the most looked after" synagogue as in the wooden floors are in a horrible shape, cables coming and going everywhere, horrible neon lights, overstuffed filing cabinets piled over each other rusting, broken window panes replaced with cardboard and the whole sanctity of the place, that was once there and can be vaguely felt radiating from the large dome and the star of David windows, is replaced with a grim dark grey Mogama3 feel.

UPDATE 2: Lina Atallah and Mohamed El Dahshan of Al-Masry English went and investigated this synagogue: The curious case of a Cairo synagogue.

NDP Synagogue

| NDP Synagogue

DSC00145c

interior of synagogue

employees

Here is the location on Google maps so you can go and see for yourselves.

Comments

  • Alaa

    Posted on - 🔗

    و بيقولك المحافل البهائية كمان اتحولت لمقرات للحزب الوطني

  • o7od

    Posted on - 🔗

    It is the "Maguen Abraham" synagogue - Ibrahim's shield -, It was very active during the 20th century.
    Built by some Jew family I can't remember which one now.
    I tried to spot it several times before but I failed, Thank you for rediscovering it.
    I am going definitely.

  • o7od

    Posted on - 🔗

    هي المرة الأولى التي أعرف أن لمدونتك فرع عربي...
    لذا سأعيد تعليقي هنا ، المعبد اسمه ماجين أبراهام ، أي درع إبراهيم ، و كان محفلا ناشطا في بدايات القرن العشرين
    و هو كشأن أغلب معابد بدايات القرن الماضي فقد بني بدعم من إحدى العائلات اليهودية الثرية
    المعبد خاص بطائفة البهود الربانيم ، و أظنه هو الوحيد الذي يخدم منطقة القبة - او كان يخدم - نظرا لأن أقرب المعابد اليه حسب معرفتي هو معبد المسلة في كوربة مصر الجديدة
    من بين المعابد الستينالعامليم من القرن الماضي ، لم يعد هناك وجود فعلي إلا لما قارب العشرين الآن
    نصفهم تمتلكه الطائفة اليهودية بالضاهر ، و النصف الآخر وضعت الدولة يدها عليه و أصبح تحت تصرفها و تشتت بين الأوقاف و الثقافة و التعليم و غيرهم.
    السؤال: لماذا قطعت الصور بهذه الطريقة يا مفطصي؟ هل من سبيل لرؤية صور بكفاءة أعلى؟

    أشكر لك اعادة اكتشاف المعبد الذي حاولت العثور عليه مرارا بلا طائل.

    • moftasa

      Posted on - 🔗

      الف شكر على المعلومات دي. الحقيقة الصور من تليفوني المحمول. قررت "أخيط" بعض الصور ببعض لعمل بنوراما لرؤية أوضح للمكان.

  • ThorsProvoni

    Posted on - 🔗

    FYI: [NY Times] Private Motive for Egypt’s Public Embrace of a Jewish Past.

    I based the (italicized) preface on my experience of doing business in Egypt about 10 years ago. Please feel free to correct any of my misunderstandings.

    Living in in the Hub of the Universe (Boston) has always given me a feeling of connection to umm el-dunya, and I have been fascinated with the Asraf Marwan mystery, which I discuss in Followup: [wvns] U.S.-Israeli Relationship & 9-11 and which I believe has a definite Boston connection.

    I am always interested in new ideas on the subject.