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Tomorrow, Egyptians commemorate that retrieval of the rest of Sinai, a precious and beloved land. Sinai has always been special to Egyptians for its geographical position that has changed history. Likewise, Sinai was blessed, as holy people crossed it on their way to Egypt. So precious is Sinai that Egyptians never hesitate to sacrifice for it. Sinai, however, was not just important to Egyptians, but to the whole world. Not one city in the world gained fame throughout history like Sinai.
Sinai, the Land of Treasures and History Book
Sinai is a history book. Each part of it is a single page on which special incidents are written. Its roads still echo the rattle of battles that composed history like the battle of Raphia which took place in the Ptolemaic era. Likewise, it witnessed the war with the Tartars who had invaded the world, conquered many parts of Central Asia, China, and Iraq where they killed the last Abbasid caliph. Then, they raided the Levant and exterminated the Ayyubids. Afterwards, they headed to Egypt. But they were faced with the Egyptian troops led by the Mamluk sultan Saif ad-Din Qutuz. The two armies met in Sinai; the Tartars were defeated in the battle of Ain Jalut, southern Palestine, to be eliminated for good.
In modern history, Sinai became the site of the French-Ottoman conflict. So, it was impacted by the battles that broke out between the two parties. Arish was destroyed by the French troops’ cannons. Many of its inhabitants were martyred while defending their land valiantly. Likewise, Sinai witnessed the “Taba Crisis” in 1906 when the Ottomans tried attacking Egypt. This coincided with Britain’s declaring its protectorate over Egypt. The attack was a failure. In 1956, Sinai witnessed the Tripartite Aggression (Suez Crisis) in which Israel took part. Yet, Israel had to withdraw after Security Council had issued a resolution that it should do so. The attack was repeated in 1967, ending in Israel occupying Sinai. But Egyptians were able to retrieve the entirety of Sinai in 1982, and Taba in 1989.
History indicates that Sinai is one of the ancient paths between Asia and Africa where there were:
Two important trade routes: Pelusium Route on the Mediterranean coast, the Levant, and Iraq. It linked the Nile Valley to Mesopotamia.
Petra Route: it extended to Hejaz, crossing Raithu (al-Tur) southern Sinai.
Horus Route: it is an old military route which ancient Egyptian kings used whenever they raided the East. It played a role in reviving trade between Egypt and the Levant. It starts from el-Qantarah, passing through Tal al-Hay, Rumani near al-Mohammediya, and from Qatia heading to Arish. This route contains traces of olden fortresses like the fort of Tharu, fort of Butu which dates back to the tenure of king Seti I.
Pilgrimage Route (Darb al-Hajj): Romans and Nabataeans used it in ancient times. It runs from the East to western Sinai. Afterwards, it became a route for pilgrims to pass through on their way from Egypt to Mecca. Yet, the opening of Suez Canal and the development of ships made pilgrims prefer the sea route to this one.
Caravans Route: it was between Egypt and the Levant during the Ottoman period. It ran from Berket al-Haj, passing through Khaniqah, Belbeis, Ghabat al-Qarin, al-Salihiya, Qatia, Arish, Khan Yunis, and Gaza.
There is also the Holy Family route: the unforgettable path which the whole world looks to.
Sinai was also the route which Amr bin al-Aas took to conquer Egypt.
Sinai’s visitors also stop before lots of historical and religious monuments which are not found in any other place in the world. Examples are:
Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa): the most famous mountain in the whole world. God appeared on it to prophet Moses, spoke to him, and gave him the ten commandments.
Mount Catherine: It has St. Catherine Monastery which was founded by emperor Justinian in 545 A.D. On it, Moses saw the burning bush. It also has the Mosque of al-Hakim bi’amr Allah which was built in the Fatimid era in the eleventh century A.D. It was built from granite. During the French crusade, Napoleon Bonaparte restored the fence of the Monastery.
The Sacred Valley: It is close to the Bush Church. Nobody is allowed to enter it, unless he barefoot in like manner prophet Moses did when the Lord commanded him to take off his shoes as he was standing on a sacred ground.
Dayr al-Banat (Virgins Monastery): it is located in Firan Village at Firan Valley. It one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Sinai. Likewise, Firan Valley contains lots of monasteries and churches that date back to the old Coptic era.
St. George Church and Monastery at Al-Tur: it is a Greek Orthodox Monastery to which St. George Church is appended.
Fortresses and Towers: Nakhl Fortress, Saladin Fortress, Moses Valley Fortress, Al-Baghla Fortress, Al-Tur Fortress, and others. Each bears the features of the era when it was built.
Sinai is not only a history book. It is also a future roadmap that leads to prosperity. This is achieved by exploiting its natural resources in various fields, such as metallurgy, tourism, agriculture, and industry. Thus, it can be a source of new jobs for Egyptians. In addition, it has global projects, being part of the Suez Canal region that contains great, international projects.
Mining
Sinai is the main source of metals. Its land is rich in copper, phosphate, iron, coal, manganese, uranium, as well as the best turquoise in whole world. Ancient Egyptians used this gem in decorating their temples and statues. Likewise, Sinai is rich in unique marble, as well as white sands from which glass and concrete are made. It also contains cement raw material, as well as black sand used in radioactive industries, paint, iron, ceramic tiles and sandpaper.
Sinai is God’s gift to Egypt. It has a unique location that preserves history, as well as an abundance of riches that open up a prosperous future for Egyptians.
Many happy returns on the commemoration of retrieving Sinai, the land of stories… Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
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