Egypt can't afford to keep the Jewish books it claims

The words of the current Egyptian Minister of Culture headlining this Jerusalem Post piece sum up the question of Egypt's Jewish literary heritage: "There is nothing called ‘Jewish books in Egypt,’ the books scientifically should be classified as Arabic, Persian, Turkish, etc.” he said. By classifying Jewish books by language as 'Egypt's national heritage' Egypt is denying the exiled Jewish community's right to its books and registers, already a sore point, and will not let Jewish heritage leave the country. Yet Egypt does not have the money to maintain them. The local community head, Magda Haroun, echoing the Egyptian line, is not helping.

 Cairo's Adly St synagogue has its own Jewish library

"The artifacts “belong to the Jews. Israel has asked the authorities many times to allow for their transfer to synagogues in Israel, or at least the Torah scrolls, which are rotting there,” said the former ambassador (to Egypt, Zvi Mazel).

But these requests were rebuffed, he said, asking “why?” “There is no logic in that rebuff but this is still the situation and it’s very sad.”

The head of the dwindling Jewish community, Magda Haroun, told the Beirut-based website Now Lebanon this month that her greatest concern is the heritage, including Torah scrolls and records, as well as 12 synagogues in Egypt, with 10 falling under the authority of the Antiquities Ministry.

“During holidays, we get together, cook and invite friends over. I am 63 years old and I am the youngest. We are seven old women, who are not very demanding, but we do not want to lose our heritage,” Haroun said. She also mentioned that the Antiquities Ministry does not have funds to take care of this heritage.

Haroun complained that international Jewish organizations have offered help, but most of them want to take the antiquities out of the country.

“These scrolls are Egyptian heritage and should stay in Egypt, as part of its diverse history. There is no way I am going to let them out of my country.”

Last week, Mohamed Abdel-Latif, the ministry’s head of Islamic, Coptic and Jewish Antiquities Section, told The Cairo Post, “The body authorized to be responsible for Jewish books and manuscripts is the Culture Ministry."

Read article in full