Latest news with #Egyptian-led
Al-Ahram Weekly
25-05-2025
- General
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Coptic period structure unearthed in Assiut, Upper Egypt - Ancient Egypt
An Egyptian-led archaeological team unearthed the remains of a mudbrick structure in the Monqabad area of Assiut in Upper Egypt, believed to date back to the sixth and seventh centuries AD during the Coptic era in the country. Further excavation is underway to determine the exact function and significance of the mudbrick structure. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, the Supreme Council of Antiquities secretary-general, described the building as having two levels coated in white plaster. The archaeologists also found inscriptions and carvings on walls, which could shed new light on Coptic art and spirituality. These inscriptions and carvings include a unique depiction of multiple eyes surrounding a central face, which is interpreted as representing spiritual insight and inner vision, key themes in Coptic religious tradition. Another striking mural features a man holding a child, believed to represent Saint Joseph carrying the Christ Child. The mural is flanked by figures thought to be Jesus' disciples, with inscriptions in the Coptic language. Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Sector Head Gamal Mostafa said the upper level contains three parallel halls followed by two rooms, while the lower level features monastic cells and living quarters. Among the artefacts unearthed were also pottery fragments, stone objects, and a tombstone inscribed in Coptic, identifying a saint with the date of his death. Moreover, the excavation revealed several amphorae bearing Coptic letters and a stone frieze with animal carvings, including a deer and a lion, alongside domestic pottery vessels. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Mohamed, director-general of Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities in East Assiut, noted that excavation and documentation efforts will continue in the coming weeks. 'We are still uncovering the story of this building and what it may reveal about Coptic life in Upper Egypt during this period,' he said. The Monqabad archaeological site, located approximately 12 kilometres northwest of Assiut city and about 22 kilometres from Assiut International Airport, has a long history of exploration. Systematic excavations at the site, which was first identified in 1965, began in 1976 and continued intermittently until 2010. Work resumed in 2024 under the current Egyptian-led archaeological mission. This latest discovery adds a valuable chapter to understanding Coptic heritage and monastic life in Egypt's early Christian era and underscores the continued importance of archaeological work in the region. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
25-05-2025
- General
- Al-Ahram Weekly
6th or 7th century AD Coptic structure unearthed in Assiut, Upper Egypt - Ancient Egypt
An Egyptian-led archaeological team unearthed the remains of a mudbrick structure in the Monqabad area of Assiut in Upper Egypt, believed to date back to the sixth and seventh centuries AD. Further excavation is underway to determine the exact function and significance of the mudbrick structure. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, the Supreme Council of Antiquities secretary-general, described the building as having two levels coated in white plaster. The archaeologists also found inscriptions and carvings on walls, which could shed new light on early Coptic art and spirituality. These murals include a unique depiction of multiple eyes surrounding a central face, which is interpreted as representing spiritual insight and inner vision, key themes in Coptic religious tradition. Another striking mural features a man holding a child, believed to represent Saint Joseph carrying the Christ Child. The mural is flanked by figures thought to be Jesus' disciples, with inscriptions in the Coptic language. Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities Sector Head Gamal Mostafa said the upper level contains three parallel halls followed by two rooms, while the lower level features monastic cells and living quarters. Among the artefacts unearthed were also pottery fragments, stone objects, and a tombstone inscribed in Coptic, identifying a saint with the date of his death. Moreover, the excavation revealed several amphorae bearing Coptic letters and a stone frieze with animal carvings, including a deer and a lion, alongside domestic pottery vessels. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Mohamed, director-general of Islamic, Coptic, and Jewish Antiquities in East Assiut, noted that excavation and documentation efforts will continue in the coming weeks. 'We are still uncovering the story of this building and what it may reveal about Coptic life in Upper Egypt during this period,' he said. The Monqabad archaeological site, located approximately 12 kilometres northwest of Assiut city and about 22 kilometres from Assiut International Airport, has a long history of exploration. Systematic excavations at the site, which was first identified in 1965, began in 1976 and continued intermittently until 2010. Work resumed in 2024 under the current Egyptian-led archaeological mission. This latest discovery adds a valuable chapter to understanding Coptic heritage and monastic life in Egypt's early Christian era and underscores the continued importance of archaeological work in the region. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Daily Tribune
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Support Palestine and Rebuild Gaza : Foreign Ministry Briefs Lawmakers on Bahrain's UN Security Council Bid and Arab Summit Role
TDT | Manama Securing full United Nations membership for Palestine, rebuilding Gaza, and advancing Bahrain's bid for a Security Council seat were the key points of discussion at a joint meeting between lawmakers and Foreign Minister, His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif Al Zayani. The session drew together Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam, Shura Council Chairman Ali Al Saleh, and members from both chambers, with the foreign minister offering a detailed account of Bahrain's activity during its presidency of the 33rd Arab Summit and its role at the 34th Summit in Baghdad. Dr. Al Zayani said Bahrain had proposed a number of moves during its leadership of the summit in May 2024, including a call for an international gathering to address the Palestinian issue based on a two-state solution, and backing for Palestine's full seat at the UN. He added that Bahrain had also urged support for the Egyptian-led effort to rebuild Gaza and had presented ideas in areas such as education, health, and digital finance. Royal Efforts The Foreign Minister told the meeting that His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa had personally led follow-up efforts, travelling to Moscow, Beijing, London, and Paris to share the summit's outcomes and press for global support. A separate summit in Cairo, co-chaired with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in March this year, endorsed a detailed recovery plan for Gaza. In addition, Dr. Al Zayani revealed that Bahrain has formed a national committee, headed by the Foreign Minister himself, to keep track of the Bahrain Summit's outcomes. Full Report A full report was handed over to the Arab League and again during the Baghdad meeting. Bahrain also hosted several regional meetings, including the 54th Arab Information Ministers gathering and the 44th meeting of Social Affairs Ministers. Throughout the year, Bahraini diplomats have taken part in meetings with UN bodies, Arab-Islamic committees, and international groups focused on Palestine and Gaza. The country is now campaigning for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2026–2027 term. Dr. Al Zayani said the campaign rests on three aims: peace, human dignity, and long-term development. Members of both councils expressed support for the efforts and said they were ready to help Bahrain push its proposals through international and parliamentary channels.
Nahar Net
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Egypt, Hamas, PLO hail Trump remarks on not 'expelling' Palestinians
by Naharnet Newsdesk 13 March 2025, 13:49 Egypt, Hamas and the Palestine Liberation Organization welcomed on Thursday remarks from US President Donald Trump after he said "nobody's expelling any Palestinians" from the Gaza Strip. It was not immediately clear whether Trump's remarks signaled backtracking from his proposed plan to take over the Palestinian territory, displacing its population to neighboring countries. "Nobody's expelling any Palestinians," Trump said in the White House on Wednesday, dismissing a question from a reporter who asked whether plans to "expel Palestinians out of Gaza" were under discussion with visiting Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin. Egypt, which with the United States and Qatar is mediating truce talks between Hamas and Israel, "expressed its appreciation for U.S. President Donald Trump's statements ... regarding not demanding residents of the Gaza Strip to leave." In a foreign ministry statement, it called Trump's statement a "positive direction" that must be built on to advance efforts for peace. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem in turn applauded what he said was a "clear retreat" from the U.S. proposal for Gaza. "Trump's statements regarding not expelling Gaza's residents are welcome," he told AFP. Trump's proposal has been widely rejected, including by U.S. allies, and countered with an Arab plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip under the future administration of the Palestinian Authority. "We appreciate the statements of the U.S. president in which he confirmed that the residents of the Gaza Strip are not required to leave their homeland," Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary general of the PLO, a Palestinian umbrella group of factions that excludes Hamas, wrote on X. The Egyptian-led plan was put forward by the Arab League and adopted by the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Nahar Net
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Egypt, Hamas, PLO hail Trump remarks on not 'expelling' Palestinians
by Naharnet Newsdesk 8 hours Egypt, Hamas and the Palestine Liberation Organization welcomed on Thursday remarks from US President Donald Trump after he said "nobody's expelling any Palestinians" from the Gaza Strip. It was not immediately clear whether Trump's remarks signaled backtracking from his proposed plan to take over the Palestinian territory, displacing its population to neighboring countries. "Nobody's expelling any Palestinians," Trump said in the White House on Wednesday, dismissing a question from a reporter who asked whether plans to "expel Palestinians out of Gaza" were under discussion with visiting Irish Prime Minister Michael Martin. Egypt, which with the United States and Qatar is mediating truce talks between Hamas and Israel, "expressed its appreciation for U.S. President Donald Trump's statements ... regarding not demanding residents of the Gaza Strip to leave." In a foreign ministry statement, it called Trump's statement a "positive direction" that must be built on to advance efforts for peace. Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem in turn applauded what he said was a "clear retreat" from the U.S. proposal for Gaza. "Trump's statements regarding not expelling Gaza's residents are welcome," he told AFP. Trump's proposal has been widely rejected, including by U.S. allies, and countered with an Arab plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip under the future administration of the Palestinian Authority. "We appreciate the statements of the U.S. president in which he confirmed that the residents of the Gaza Strip are not required to leave their homeland," Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary general of the PLO, a Palestinian umbrella group of factions that excludes Hamas, wrote on X. The Egyptian-led plan was put forward by the Arab League and adopted by the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
