CAIRO: A plan to develop the poor Old Cairo district of Ezbet Kheirallah should set an example for charity workers nationwide. The area was recently thrown into the limelight as a result of the perseverance of dedicated charity groups. One reason why Ezbet Kheirallah has grabbed charity officials' attention is that it occupies a huge plot of land near the Babylon Fortress, also known as Sur Al Dabaghana or Establ Antar, which dates back to the Islamic conquest of Egypt. "That fortress will boost the area's chances for development, says Nevine El Ebrashi of Kheir Wi Baraka Association whose initiative has been instrumental in staging the Ezebt Kheirallah Festival on Saturday, to lay the foundations for a slew of future development plans which will turn the area around completely. The festival was attended by crowds of school children, residents of Ezbet Kheirallah, charity workers and the media. It was the fruit of the support of Muslim and Christian charity societies that have helped residents over the years to overcome endless difficulties. "One of the major crises is the water and sanitation problem that will soon be addressed by the governorate of Cairo, said El Ebrashi. "Funds have already been allocated for this project. Also in the pipeline are plans to restore of the fortress and introduce facilities for collecting and recycling garbage, she added. El Ebrashi pointed out that all three projects are interrelated, considering that many residents have developed health problems due to the poor conditions of the water pipes. Drinking water pipes were mixing with sewage because the truck tanks which are supposed to empty out the sewage cannot make their way into the narrow alleys. It was regrettable to see heaps of garbage behind the ancient walls that were penetrated by Amr Ibn El Aas, the leader of the Muslim troops that conquered Egypt hundreds of years ago. The expansive historical site was the set of popular Egyptian period movies like Youssef Chahin's "Saladin and "Antara Ibn Shaddad , the brave warrior and poet. The underground passages and prison cells of the fort bear witness to significant events in Islamic history. El Ebrashi said that Kheir Wi Baraka Association is in talks with The Supreme Council of Antiquities about the possibility of turning the fortress into a tourist site whose revenues would support the area, making it a self-sufficient entity. "Environmental officials are studying plans to clean up the area and spread awareness. But before any of this takes place, the roads leading to it must be paved to make it easier for vehicles to have access, she added. For the first time both Muslim and Coptic charity organizations join hands to develop a sense of belonging to the area. "Besides helping bring about this cooperation, Kheir Wi Baraka is using its diverse contacts to mediate between the district and possible donor companies. "Many other areas are in need of similar care but let's start somewhere to set an example for the rest, said El Ebrashi.
