Egypt Cancels Unveiling Of Restored Synagogue

March 14, 2010

Author: Paul Schemm

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hfV1Vro5CdizKV0ZAJgOMhG1p55wD9EEEN680

Egypt canceled the inauguration of a restored synagogue on Sunday citing objections to Israel's treatment of Muslims in the occupied territories as well as alleged excesses during an earlier ceremony.

Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities spent seven months restoring the ruined Ben Maimon synagogue in Cairo's ancient Jewish quarter and had been set to unveil it to the press Sunday, a week after its rededication in a private ceremony.

Council head Zahi Hawass called off Sunday's event following criticism in the press of the synagogue's rededication ceremony, which was attended by Israeli diplomats as well the American ambassador. The cancellation was largely symbolic as the restoration is complete and the synagogue has been reopened.