(Please read complete thread for context)
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On Saturday 3rd April 2021, #Egypt put on a lavish parade in the capital #Cairo to locate 22 mummies from the Egyptian Museum to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation.
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Images of the slick 4 mile parade and an equally carefully choreographed opening ceremony were broadcast live on state television, to rousing music and a 21-gun salute.
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The procession, dubbed the "Pharaohs' Golden Parade", of 18 kings and 4 queens travelled in order, oldest first - each aboard a separate vehicle decorated in ancient Egyptian style.
The carriages were fitted with shock absorbers for the trip, to ensure they had a smooth ride
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Included in the procession was Rameses II, regarded as being the Pharaoh in the time of Prophet Musa (عليه السلام) [Moses].
The tyrannical Pharaoh is mentioned in the Qur'an (10:92), that he will be preserved as a sign for those who come after him.
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The festivities included horse parades. The royal carriages carried famous actors in pharaonic dress. Military bands, also dressed in pharaonic costume, played national music and songs.
The cost of the of the new Great Hall and the Royal Mummies Hall has exceeded $38 million.
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Subhanallah! How times have changed.
For centuries, there was a ceremonial tradition for the Kiswah (the covering of the Ka'bah) to be made in Cairo each year.
It was sent annually from Cairo to Makkah with a Hajj caravan to be draped over the Ka'bah.
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Egypt boasted of being the official provider of the Kiswah for centuries and it was a matter of great pride for the country.
The Kiswah would be contained in an elaborate container known as a Mahmal, carried by a strong camel called Nabeel (noble).
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The procession would include a convoy of other camels called Mabrouk (blessed). They would carry the luggage and water for accompanying pilgrims.
Soldiers would guard them all the way.
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Many Egyptians considered the Mahmal a source of blessing and sought to receive that blessing by touching, kissing, or at least watching the Mahmal as it went through the streets of Cairo before its departure to Makkah.
It was a day of great fanfare for the city.
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The tradition of clothing the Ka'bah with cloth from Egypt dates back to the early days of Islam.
The Caliphs Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman (رضي الله عنهم) covered the Ka’bah with ‘qibati’ (a thin white cloth from Egypt) during their rule.
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Saudi Arabia eventually took over the manufacturing of the Kiswah in 1962.
The craftsmen in Cairo passed away or moved on. The centuries old workshop fell in a dilapidated state.
Today, few people even in Cairo know about the Kiswah workshop and its important history.
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What we've seen in Egypt is a good example of what can happen when the deen becomes neglected.
Success is seen in honouring those things which are displeasing to Allah (swt) and this becomes a means of real honour being taken away.
May Allah (swt) protect us all, Ameen.
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