An Egyptian children's museum will open in Cairo in September 2011 once displays and final arrangements are finished, according to Egyptian Minister of Antiquities Zahi Hawass. Hawass has checked the final phases of the museum's preparation with Sayyed Meshaal, the minister for military production. The Egyptian Children's Museum will be one of the greatest museums for children in the Arab world and Africa, said Hawass. "The museum has been established by the armed forces' projects system and is sponsored by donations of several countries which totaled $17 million," said Hawas. "The museum deals with the history of Egyptian civilization from ancient times to the modern era,” said Hawass. “The most important displays in the museum are a model of the headwaters of the Nile River in Africa and the river's path through Egypt, Sudan and the downstream countries.” “There is also a special room showing the design of King Tutankhamun's burial chamber,” he added. The museum consists of three floors. It contains a cultural activities center, theatre, cinema, and digital library of the latest cultural and artistic activities. “Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities aims to develop archaeological awareness among Egyptian citizens, particularly children,” said Hawass. “The museum will be an educational and cultural center for children. It will connect Egypt's ancient civilization through all its ages to the modern era, and will present hopeful features,” he added. The museum will display Egyptian civilization through archaeological models. A mummy will be the only real monument in the museum, and that will be displayed in a special hall. Hawass presented a request to Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf, asking him to permit the Ministry of Antiquities to supervise the museum.
