Know about ministers' suggestions for Egyptian 'heritage month' in Canada

CAIRO - 8 May 2019: Ministers of immigration, culture, social solidarity and antiquities met on Wednesday to discuss the initial plan for the immigration minister's proposal to prepare for the probable celebration of the Egyptian civilization and heritage month in Canada in July.

Minister of Immigration and Egyptian Expatriates' Affairs Nabila Makram met on Saturday with Minister of Antiquities Khaled al-Anany and Minister of Culture Inas Abdel Dayem to discuss Canadian Member of Parliament Sherif Sabawy’s bill to the legislature to recognize the month of July as Egyptian Heritage Month.

The meeting aims to benefit from bill 106 for 2019 that is being discussed at the moment in the Canadian Parliament of Ontario which declares July the Egyptian heritage month in Canada and to lay out a plan to advertise Egyptian archaeological discoveries and culture in Canada once the bill is approved.

The ministers agreed to prepare a memorandum on the proposal of the ceremony to be submitted by the immigration minister to the prime minister immediately after the Canadian Parliament issues its decision on June 6.

Declaring a month for Egyptian civilization and heritage in Canada came as a result of the efforts of MP Sherif Sabawy, Makram said, affirming Egypt's support for the efforts of the expats to strengthen relations between their homeland and the country where they reside.

The decision enables the Egyptian community to officially praise their homeland and is an extension of the celebration of the glorious July Revolution that commemorates Egypt's conversion to an independent republic.

The meeting delivers a message of encouragement to all Egyptian communities abroad that their government supports them in any effort being made for the benefit of the country, Makram said, commending the recent decision of the Canadian government to update the instructions for its citizens concerning traveling to Egypt.

Also, Anani suggested that the events include a number of lectures dealing with the history of Egypt since the Pharaonic era, shedding light on its cultural heritage and reviewing the modern archaeological discoveries and its significance in the human heritage.
He also suggested launching an initiative to invite people across Canada to visit Egypt.

Abdel Dayem suggested organizing a cultural convoy that includes a wide range of events to highlight the distinctive character of the Egyptian civilization and creativity.