Social media users have circulated alarming footage from the area surrounding the Virgin Mary Church in Maadi—one of the most prominent sacred stops along the Holy Family’s route through Egypt. Photos and videos show bulldozers and heavy machinery operating on land adjacent to the church, prompting a wave of concern and disbelief among local residents and visitors.
Many wondered whether this was part of a new development project affiliated with the church under the state’s plan to revive the Holy Family Trail—or whether something else was happening behind the scenes.
It soon became clear that the reality was far from what had been assumed. A wave of outrage erupted within the church community when it became apparent that this activity was being carried out without the church’s knowledge or coordination. In fact, it constituted a blatant encroachment on land adjoining a deeply revered religious and historical site.
In response, the church issued an urgent appeal to the President of the Republic, calling for immediate intervention to stop what it described as “reckless tampering.” In its emotional plea, the church stated:
“We submit this urgent appeal to Your Excellency, presenting a matter of the utmost importance and sensitivity—one that concerns one of Egypt’s most significant religious and historical landmarks: the Church of the Virgin Mary. It is a key station on the Holy Family Trail and one of the most important religious and pilgrimage sites globally. The state itself has assigned it special importance in its spiritual and tourism development plans.”
The appeal emphasized that the church has never obstructed development or expansion projects. On the contrary, it has consistently acted as a constructive partner—donating parts of its land to support infrastructure and public service initiatives, in line with its national and spiritual responsibilities. However, the church was stunned to discover that certain executive bodies were now acting in blatant disregard of signed agreements, without coordination and with no consideration for the sanctity or international heritage status of the site.
What makes the situation even more serious, according to local sources, is that the Water Surfaces Authority appears to be behind the activity—operating secretly at night, without public notice, and without consulting either the church or the ministries previously involved in agreements concerning the development of the Holy Family Trail.
The church’s appeal concluded with a direct call to the President:
“We respectfully urge Your Excellency to intervene immediately to stop this reckless interference, investigate the circumstances surrounding this breach, and restore order and justice—out of respect for the agreements signed and to safeguard the sanctity of a site that is part of Egypt’s global heritage.”
This is not only about protecting a sacred site; it also concerns Egypt’s image on the world stage. The state has repeatedly promoted plans for launching an international project centered around the Holy Family Trail, allocating resources and holding conferences to showcase Egypt’s spiritual and cultural heritage. How, then, can such a project be sabotaged from within?
In light of these troubling developments, a heartfelt appeal is adressed to the relevant authorities and to members of Parliament representing Maadi to clarify the situation publicly and take urgent action—before this crisis escalates into a major scandal that tarnishes Egypt’s historical and civilizational standing, especially as the country seeks to strengthen its soft power and religious heritage on the international stage.
The Virgin Mary Church in Maadi is no ordinary place. It holds a unique position on the sacred map of global Christianity and stands as a spiritual landmark for millions around the world.
It is unacceptable for such a revered site to be subjected to opaque and uncoordinated actions.
Justice is not merely a matter of legal procedure—it is also about respecting history, upholding transparency, and honoring the sanctity of holy places.
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Edited translation of: https://www.wataninet.com/2025/06/ما-الذي-يجري-بجوار-كنيسة-العذراء-بالمع/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLDaSdleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFKQ1dzR2MwbnpjY1RRNDhpAR6_m7SUJklaB1fwXEs0l_U_dfOj0b7EKj0DaymUTje6qtw6C9nia7zMpVg4Qw_aem_8XSM5w1iJIk5jpoXNOYZRg#google_vignette
