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Al-Ahram Weekly 17 - 23 June 1999 Issue No. 434 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 17 - 23 June 1999 Issue No. 434
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Living Travel Sports Time Out Chronicles People Cartoons Letters Hi-tech security at the Citadel
By Nevine El-ArefAs part of the Culture Ministry's plan to protect and safeguard archaeological sites of special importance, a hi-tech security system will be installed at the Citadel. It will be similar to the system installed last year in the Egyptian Museum.
According to Gaballa Ali Gaballa, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA), the Citadel's system includes mobile and fixed cameras linked to closed-circuit televisions which will keep all museums in the Citadel as well as its rooms, garden, open court and surrounding streets under close surveillance around the clock, even after visiting hours. The cameras, operated by guards in a control room, will video-tape any movement into or out of the Citadel and its museums.
Gaballa said that a movement alarm system will also be installed in the Citadel. This will consist of electronic sensors using infra-red rays that will trigger an alarm if anyone tries to break the glass of the showcases inside the museums.
"The entrance and exit of the Citadel will be controlled by electronic security gates for visitors as well as for administrative personnel," said Farouk Hosni, the minister of culture. He explained that the gates will feature x-ray machines which will automatically check visitors' bags.
Electronic ticket machines, similar to those in the metro stations, will also be installed at the Citadel's entrance and exit. These are equipped to count minute-by-minute the number of visitors moving in and out of the Citadel. "This will accurately control the number of visitors in the Citadel at all times," Gaballa said. He added that an early warning system and a burglar alarm will also be installed.
Installation of the new system will take eight months and cost LE6 million.
The Citadel houses several museums, such as the military, police, royal carriage, and Gawhara palace museums. It also includes the famous mosque of Mohamed Ali.
