December 2, 1971, marks the founding of the United Arab Emirates, a country that has since sought to assert its cultural dominance in the Arab region and even compete with global civilizations by constructing skyscrapers, including the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. While one could argue that these buildings lack a national identity and instead represent a form of architectural Westernization, there is no denying that the UAE is striving to immortalize its name, not only in urban development but also in the digital innovation realm. For instance, the Executive Council of Dubai announced the creation of “Dubai Font,” which reflects the emirate’s identity and its entry into the world of digital innovation, designed in collaboration with Microsoft and Monotype.

The point of these previous lines is to highlight that some nations, born in the last century without a deep-rooted civilization, found themselves in a world that ignores those without history. Consequently, they dedicated their efforts to building a present that could serve as their future history. However, the real tragedy lies in the case of countries that were once civilizations giving birth to nations but are now working tirelessly to erase their heritage and identity.

Civilizational Identity and Its Significance

Civilizational identity is one of the most important characteristics of any society. It embodies the community’s aspirations and reflects its progress through the behavior and achievements of its individuals in various fields. Identity is defined as the comprehensive framework encompassing the concepts and values that shaped a nation’s accomplishments through its unique historical experiences, forming its people’s consciousness and culture. In any society, identity is present through history, culture, thought, and willpower, all of which contribute to shaping civilization. Identity includes:

• Historical legacy, which defines the relationship between people, place, and time.
• Cultural values, which guide and inspire creativity and excellence.
• Intellectual pride, which expresses people’s connection to their history and traditions.
• Societal values, which support collective efforts for progress.

All these elements are deeply embedded in the nation’s consciousness. (Reference: Abdullah Al-Dimyati, Al-Hiwar Al-Mutamaddin, 2011).

Egypt’s Architectural Legacy

7,000 years ago, the Pharaohs of Egypt sought to immortalize their religious beliefs, way of life, and even their physical presence for millennia. Their architectural grandeur was a direct reflection of this ambition. Their temples’ walls bore witness to their religious and mythological beliefs. They worshipped multiple gods, representing them through statues, and believed in resurrection and eternal life, leading to the construction of elaborate tombs for nobles and grand pyramids for their kings.

Their sense of greatness and superiority over others was evident in their architecture. The Great Hall leading to the entrance of the royal palace was lined with towering columns, designed to instill awe and reverence in visitors.

Following this, the Greek era (333–30 BC) and the Ptolemaic rule reshaped Egypt after Alexander the Great founded Alexandria. The Greeks built a civilization based on science, arts, industry, and trade, making Alexandria the Mediterranean’s leading port, renowned for its Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Greek architecture featured three main styles, categorized by their columns:

1. Doric Style – The oldest and most durable, used in the Parthenon.
2. Ionic Style – Recognizable by its spiral decorations, seen in the Temple of Artemis.
3. Corinthian Style – The most elaborate, used in the Temple of Olympian Zeus.

The Roman, Coptic, and Islamic Eras

The Roman period (from 30 BC) borrowed heavily from Egyptian and Greek architecture. Instead of developing original designs, the Romans used Pharaonic stones and Greek-style columns in their structures. Unlike previous civilizations, Romans prioritized secular buildings over religious monuments.

The Coptic era saw the continuation of architectural traditions, particularly in church buildings and religious art, with fresco paintings being the dominant form of decoration. According to Dawood Khalil Masiha, Christian architecture in Egypt began in the fifth century AD, though earlier churches likely existed but were lost over time.

The Islamic era marked a new architectural chapter, beginning with the founding of Fustat, the first Islamic capital of Egypt. This period introduced mosques, decorative arts, military forts, and city gates. Later, Cairo was established by Jawhar al-Siqilli under the Fatimid Caliphate in 970 AD, beginning with the Al-Azhar Mosque.

Between the 13th and 14th centuries, the Islamic world experienced significant economic, scientific, and artistic advancements, leading to a golden age of urban development. However, between the 15th and 19th centuries, Islamic cities stagnated, losing their architectural and cultural identity. The Industrial Revolution in Europe and colonial expansion further transformed urban structures, leading to the erosion of Islamic city values. (Reference: Muhammad Abdel-Baqi Ibrahim – Characteristics of the Islamic City, 1996).

The Khedival Era and Modern Urbanization

The Khedival era (19th century) under Muhammad Ali and his successors marked the last great attempt to establish a distinct Egyptian architectural identity. Khedive Ismail, inspired by his time in Paris, aimed to modernize Egypt by integrating European architecture, commissioning foreign engineers to build Khedival Cairo, starting with Abdeen Palace.

This period saw the adoption of architectural styles from:

• The Renaissance, emphasizing mathematical proportions and human-scale designs.
• Classical architecture, borrowing from Greek, Roman, and Egyptian styles.
• Art Deco, characterized by geometric designs and vibrant colors.
• Baroque architecture, known for its ornate decorations.
• Neo-Islamic styles, blending traditional and European influences.

Despite Westernization, Khedival architecture preserved an aesthetic harmony, creating a visually pleasing and serene urban landscape.

The Destruction of Egypt’s Architectural Heritage

Over the past 40 years, 140,000 historical buildings in Egypt have been demolished for real estate development. (Source: Former Minister of Culture, Farouk Hosny).

Many Khedival-era buildings were designated heritage sites, preventing private owners from selling or restoring them. However, due to government negligence, many owners filed lawsuits to remove these buildings from heritage lists, leading to their demolition—as seen with 52 heritage buildings in Alexandria.

In addition to Khedival-era mansions, Pharaonic temples have suffered from poor restoration efforts. Reports indicate Karnak Temple, the world’s most important religious site, was restored using concrete. The infamous incident of Tutankhamun’s beard being glued back with epoxy in 2015 is another example of gross mismanagement. (Source: Democracy and Human Rights Support Foundation, 2016).

Conclusion: A Future Without a Past?

A nation without history has no future. Civilizations are not preserved with words alone. If we continue to dismiss our architectural heritage, future generations may never know the greatness of our past.

Today, some nations strive to build a civilization from nothing, while others actively work to destroy their own.