ZAAFARANA, Egypt — Egypt’s chief archaeologist unveiled on Thursday an extensive renovation of the oldest monastery in the world, touting the work at the 1,600-year-old site as a symbol of peaceful coexistence between the country’s Muslims and Christians.
It’s the message Egypt’s government has been emphasizing ever since a lethal drive-by shooting at a church a month ago in a southern town: No troubles here — dismissing new worries over sectarian divisions between Egypt’s mainly Muslim population and the large Christian minority.
“The announcement we are making today shows to the world how we are keen to restore the monuments of our past, whether Coptic, Jewish or Muslims,” archaeologist Zahi Hawass said, referring to the dominant Christian sect.
“The incident in Upper Egypt can happen between two brothers,” Hawass said when asked whether about a connection between the Jan. 6 shooting and the timing of his announcement.
It was in this remote spot, in the third century, that St. Anthony took up a residence in a cave, with little more than a spring and palm trees to sustain him.
