Egyptian artisans weave Gaza anti-displacement tents in solidarity with Palestinians - Society

Al-Ahram Weekly

16-03-2025

Al-Khayamiya Street (or Tentmakers Street), which has existed in the heart of Cairo for centuries, even before Israel's establishment, symbolizes solidarity as Egyptian artisans have crafted tents not only to mark the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan but also to provide shelter for displaced Palestinians in war-torn Gaza.
'We make tents with mixed feelings: support for the people of Gaza and pain for what they have endured,' a tentmaker in his thirties told Ahram Online.
Khayamiya refers to a deeply rooted Egyptian art form derived from the word "khiyam" (tents), denoting the vibrant textiles used to craft large ceremonial canopies.
Just after passing through Bab Zuweila, one of the last remaining gates of Old Cairo, a narrow street with a high roof comes into view — Al-Khayamiya Street. This historic open-air market and workshop has been the heart of Egypt's tentmaking craft since the Mamluk era (from 1250 to 1517).
Amid the wooden-panelled workshops, the tentmaker who spoke anonymously to Ahram Online said he had shifted his skills to meet an urgent humanitarian need, crafting shelters for families displaced by 15 months of Israeli bombardments.
'Since the start of the Israeli war, we have been making tents to send to Gaza … We hope they have reached our brothers there and provided some relief in their ordeal,' he said.
His workshop and several others in this historic market have already sent thousands of tents to Gaza through intermediary traders.
Once primarily known for its decorative Ramadan canopy tents, Khayamiya workshops now cater to a different demand: producing lifeline tents for Gaza's homeless and displaced population.
These workshops have made a distinct type of tents, which have been mass-produced for over a year for the Palestinians.
"These tents, made in Egypt, are sent to Gaza to provide shelter for its people," the worker said.
During the Israeli war that began in October 2023, Egypt established camps in southern Gaza to support displaced Palestinians who fled their homes in the north of the strip, escaping Israeli bombardment.
Moreover, Egypt established two camps in Gaza's Khan Younis, featuring hundreds of tents to shelter thousands of displaced Palestinians.
Ahram Online also contacted the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERCS) for details on the number of tents it has built to shelter Palestinians in the war-torn strip, but it received no response until now.
Saleh, 55, another workshop owner, told Ahram Online that at least five to six workshops in the area have been making tents for Gaza since the war began.
"The speed of production depends on the size of the order. On average, a single workshop can produce 50 to 60 weekly tents," the experienced tentmaker explained.
Tariq, 67, another veteran tentmaker with over 40 years of experience, emphasized that the production of tents for Gaza is carried out with exceptional precision and dedication.
"The workers know these tents will shelter Palestinians in extremely harsh conditions," he expressed.
"We manufacture them at a lower price, sometimes cutting costs by 30 to 40 percent, as a gesture of support for our brothers in Gaza," Tarek added.
The veteran tentmaker highlighted that these efforts align with Egypt's support for Palestinians' right to remain in their historical homeland without being forcibly displaced.
Since his inauguration on 20 January, President Donald Trump has repeatedly proposed a colonialist-style plan suggesting that the US takes control of Gaza, forcibly displaces its native population to Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab nations, and transforms the strip into a "Middle Eastern Riviera."
Egypt and Jordan have firmly rejected this proposal, stressing that establishing a Palestinian state based on the 4 June 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, is the only way to achieve lasting peace in the region.
Despite high demand from charitable organizations such as the Resala Association and the Egyptian Red Crescent, Tarek noted that tent requests have recently declined in favour of mobile housing units, particularly after Trump's displacement proposal.
"This is the least we can do for our people in Gaza — to help them remain on their land and prevent their forced displacement," the tentmaker affirmed.
In response to this message, Reem Herzallah from the Gaza Strip told Ahram Online that Egyptians have always stood by Palestinians, particularly in rejecting forced displacement, and that this stance is nothing new to them.
"If the Egyptians accept our displacement to their country, the Palestinian cause will be completely lost. That is why they strongly oppose it," Herzallah said from her tent in the Ard Al-Katiba area west of Gaza City.
"We tell Egyptians to remain steadfast in their opposition to our displacement. We will not leave our land, and no one can force us to do so," Herzallah, who lost many relatives during Israel's 15-month war, emphasized.
Egypt has formulated a plan for Gaza's early recovery and long-term reconstruction. This plan focuses on restoring essential infrastructure, addressing humanitarian needs, and ensuring Palestinian governance over Gaza as an integral part of the Palestinian territory.
The Egyptian plan was adopted by all Arab nations at the Cairo Extraordinary Arab Summit in February, serving as a unified Arab response to Trum's displacement proposal.
Since the ceasefire/prisoner swap deal between Israel and Hamas began on 19 January, Egypt has sent hundreds of trucks carrying food, water, and medicine to Gaza through the Rafah crossing to ease the dire conditions faced by 2.4 million Palestinians after months of complete Israeli blockade.
The deal's first phase, spanning 42 days, stipulated that Israel cease bombing the strip, allow the entry of humanitarian aid, and release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
However, just hours after the first phase ended, Israel blocked the entry of all humanitarian aid into Gaza and closed the crossings used for such relief efforts.
This move, coming on the second day of Ramadan — the Muslims's holy month of fasting worldwide — has worsened the already critical humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian strip.
"We are trying to manage, but our situation is difficult, especially since it is Ramadan, and we need more supplies for iftar and suhoor meals and other necessities," Herzallah stated, describing the harsh conditions.
She also urged Arab nations and the international community to intensify their pressure on Israel to reopen the crossings and resume the flow of aid.
Egypt has repeatedly condemned Israel's blockade of humanitarian aid to Gaza, denouncing using starvation as a weapon against civilians, especially during Ramadan.
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