Egypt posts record EGP629b primary surplus in 2024/25    EGP swings vs. USD in early Sunday trade    EGX launches 1st phone app    Egypt achieves record primary budget surplus of EGP 629bn despite sharp fall in Suez Canal revenues    Escalation in Gaza, West Bank as Israeli strikes continue amid mounting international criticism    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Resumption of production at El Nasr marks strategic step towards localising automotive industry: El-Shimy    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, UNDP discuss outcomes of joint projects, future environmental cooperation    United Bank achieves EGP 1.51bn net profit in H1 2025, up 26.9% year-on-year    After Putin summit, Trump says peace deal is best way to end Ukraine war    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Jordan condemns Israeli PM remarks on 'Greater Israel'    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egypt's FM discusses Gaza, bilateral ties in calls with Saudi, South African counterparts    Egypt prepares to tackle seasonal air pollution in Nile Delta    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt, Colombia discuss medical support for Palestinians injured in Gaza    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt's govt. issues licensing controls for used cooking oil activities    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Egypt's Sisi: Egypt is gateway for aid to Gaza, not displacement    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Don't boycott new seven wonders poll, says researcher
Published in Daily News Egypt on 25 - 02 - 2007

Dr Basam Al Shamaa says it would be a big mistake not to participate
CAIRO: A researcher in Egyptology and ancient history is encouraging all Egyptians to participate in the international poll to choose the new Seven Wonders of the World.
He stresses that our participation won't harm the status of the Giza Pyramids and could boost Egypt's position as a major tourist destination.
Dr Basam Al Shamaa, a well-traveled and popular lecturer on ancient history, highlighted the subject on Thursday to a packed hall at Al Sawy Cultural Center.
The event marked a growing interest in the relationship between tourism and archaeology, following the recent debate triggered by an initiative to vote for seven new world wonders to be announced on July 7, 2007 in Barcelona.
"Despite the suspicions and conspiracy theories reeking behind the project, the Pyramids of Giza will be the undisputed eternal world wonder, explained Al Shamaa.
"I don't blame the Supreme Council of Antiquities and other cultural authorities for not ruling out conspiracies, but we stand to benefit from that poll more than most people imagine.
"The mammoth edifices have been speaking volumes for themselves since time immemorial, noted Al Shamaa.
Al Shamaa's lecture aimed to raise awareness about the issue. He said that it was enough to access www.newsevenwonders.com to test his theory.
"We don't stand to lose anything by participating. On the contrary, we will be worse off if we opt to boycott the poll, he stressed.
"Imagine what will happen if 25 percent of the computer-literate American population voted for the Statue of Liberty? We cannot simply decide to be absent from the race.
Twenty-one sites are included in the poll, with each thumbnail linking to tens of pages giving information about the competing site's history, travel tips and a slew of tourist-related details.
"We can use our intellectual property rights to benefit from the promotional tools allocated for the competition, which consist of items like T-shirts featuring the pyramids and a balloon that will be flown over each site to encourage votes.
"Egypt could exploit the situation by manufacturing these promos. It's a good business incentive for local factories and will promote tourism, Al Shamaa said.
He added: "If our cultural officials continue to have doubts they can organize a different competition under the auspices of the Unesco, which should select experts to supervise the entire process.
"This could go side by side with the New Seven Wonders, but you can't simply boycott it after it has gained such momentum, noted Al Shamaa.
Al Shamaa believes that it is necessary to choose new wonders since most of the old ones no longer exist.
"But new criteria and guidelines should be laid down to help people make the right choice.
The idea of world wonders was the brainchild of Greek historian Antipatter who once asked his companions about which constructions they believed were miracle buildings.
"Since Antipatter and his companions were Greek, most of the ancient seven wonders were Greek, including the Alexandria lighthouse which was built during the Greco-Roman era, said Al Shamaa.
"It's about time to revive the issue in a globalized world, where people are starting to know each other.


Clic here to read the story from its source.