Summary
Egypt plans to turn part of Mount Sinai, a site sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims, into a luxury resort. This development involves construction of hotels and shops and impacts the local Bedouin community. Greece has raised concerns due to its connection to the ancient St Catherine's Monastery on the site.
Key Facts
- Mount Sinai, also called Jabal Musa, is an important religious site for Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
- The site includes the 6th-century St Catherine's Monastery, the oldest continuously used Christian monastery.
- Egypt plans to develop the area into a luxury resort with hotels and shopping areas.
- The local Bedouin tribe, known as the Jebeleya, has been forced to relocate due to development.
- The Jebeleya had their homes and eco-camps demolished, with little to no compensation.
- Greek authorities and the Greek Orthodox Church have opposed the ruling that the monastery is on state land.
- The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate highlighted the site's historic protection granted by the Prophet Muhammad.
- The development has caused tensions between Greece and Egypt due to religious and historical significance.
