Cairo governor denies rumors of demolition of Sheikh Muhammad Rifat’s tomb

CAIRO – 8 September 2025: Dr. Ibrahim Saber, Governor of Cairo, has confirmed that there is no truth to the rumors regarding the demolition of the tomb of Sheikh Muhammad Rifat in Sayyida Nafisa cemetery in the Old Cairo. He firmly denied any intention to remove the cemetery.

In a statement to Youm7, the Governor emphasized that the Sayyida Nafisa cemetery will not be demolished and will be fully preserved.

Sheikh Muhammad Rifaat was one of the pioneering reciters of the Noble Qur’an. He was the first to recite the Qur’an on Cairo Radio. Sheikh Rifaat memorized the entire Qur’an by the age of ten and lost his sight at an early age.

The Sayeda Aisha area in the Old Cairo is undergoing comprehensive development, which includes the removal of the Sayeda Aisha Bridge due to its hazardous curve that has caused numerous accidents. As part of the project, the Salah Salem Axis in the old Cairo is being rerouted to pass by the Sayeda Nafisa Cemetery, aiming to ease traffic congestion in Sayeda Aisha Square and transform the area into a tourist destination.