Egypt to develop St. Catherine’s Monastery while preserving its heritage

His remarks came on Saturday during his meeting with Archimandrite Symeon Papadopoulos, the Metropolitan of St. Catherine’s Monastery.

Kamal emphasized that the relationship between the governorate and the monastery is based on full cooperation and mutual understanding, with any differences in viewpoints addressed under mutual respect.

The governor pointed out that the St. Catherine area is a special spiritual destination, given its sanctity and global historical and religious significance.

It is one of the most important religious sites in the world and a cornerstone for promoting religious, cultural, and spiritual tourism in the governorate, Kamal explained.

State-driven development

The political leadership is giving great attention to the development of St. Catherine’s through the “Great Transfiguration” project, he said, considered to be one of Egypt’s most prominent national projects.

Development work is being carried out according to a comprehensive vision that takes into account the preservation of the area’s environmental and historical character, he said, without compromising religious rituals or the monastic way of life within the monastery.

The governor ordered that all the monastery’s needs and requirements be met promptly, emphasizing continued on-site monitoring to ensure that projects are implemented according to the highest quality standards, achieving a balance between sustainable development and preserving the city’s spiritual and historical identity.

The Great Transfiguration

The “Great Transfiguration” project is a comprehensive development initiative adopted by the Egyptian state to transform the city of Saint Catherine in South Sinai into a global destination for spiritual, environmental, and historical tourism, the governor explained.