A fierce controversy is erupting in Egypt over plans to construct a vast luxury resort at the base of Mount Sinai, a site revered by millions as the biblical location where Moses received the Ten Commandments.
The proposed 'Sinai City for Tourism Investments' is a mega-development featuring luxury hotels, villas, a sprawling commercial centre, and an extensive golf course. This modern complex is slated to be built on land directly adjacent to the centuries-old St Catherine's Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Sacred Ground or Playground for the Rich?
Religious leaders and international heritage bodies have voiced profound alarm. The monastery's Archbishop, Damianos, has condemned the project, warning it will permanently disfigure the sacred landscape and turn a place of pilgrimage into a commercialised playground. Critics argue the development fundamentally contradicts the site's spiritual significance and its status as a protected area.
Environmental and Cultural Catastrophe Feared
Beyond the spiritual concerns, environmentalists warn of an ecological disaster. The construction and operation of a massive resort in this arid, sensitive desert environment threaten local wildlife, would consume vast quantities of scarce water resources for its golf course, and generate significant light and noise pollution, forever altering the serene atmosphere of the ancient monastery.
Opponents also fear the project could irrevocably damage the fragile ecosystem of the South Sinai region and set a dangerous precedent for development on other protected lands.
A Clash of Visions
The dispute highlights a stark clash between the Egyptian government's ambition to boost tourism revenue and the imperative to protect the nation's unparalleled cultural and religious heritage. While authorities promise the project will bring jobs and economic growth to the region, detractors see it as a short-sighted venture that sacrifices a world treasure for profit.
As construction machinery moves in, the global community watches, with growing calls for the Egyptian government to halt the project and preserve the sanctity of one of the world's most important religious sites.
