MP requests enquiry over ‘Saudi party at pyramids’

CAIRO – 12 May 2017: A motion to summon the antiquities minister has been submitted to the parliament over the BBC’s story that a Saudi prince rented the pyramids area to propose to his partner.

Parliamentarian Fayka Fahim said on Friday that archeological sites must not be rented “for those who pay, and the Pharaonic civilization is not a place for fun and dance parties.”

The Ministry of Antiquities denied in a statement on Wednesday that it had granted permission to hold the party at the Giza Pyramids. Ashraf Mohyi, director of the Giza Plateau, said there have not been any weddings or parties at the pyramids recently, labeling the news as a rumor.

On May 1, the BBC reported that a U.K. concierge services provider arranged a private party at the Pyramids for a “romantic Saudi prince,” who flew in 300 people to watch the event at the historical place at a cost of $40 million.