TİKA Brings Ottoman Landmarks in Sudan Back to Life

In Khartoum, Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) signed the protocol for the Restoration and Landscaping Project of Khartoum Al Kabir Mosque, a landmark from the Ottoman period.

Sudan Federal Ministry of Tourism, Antiquities and Wildlife, General Directorate of Antiquities approved the architecture, construction and electricity projects for Al Kabir Mosque, which was commissioned during the rule of the last Ottoman Governor of the region, Abbas Hilmi Pasha, in 1902 and completed in 1912.

For the project that will be carried out by TİKA, the protocol outlining the responsibilities of the parties was signed in a ceremony in the Governorate of Khartoum between Sudan Federal Ministry of Tourism, Khartoum Governorate and TİKA.

The ceremony was attended by Sudan Federal Minister of Guidance and Endowments Abu-Bakr Osman Ibrahim, Governor of Khartoum General Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein, Turkish Ambassador to Khartoum Assoc. Prof. Dr. İrfan Neziroğlu, Sudan Federal Ministry of Tourism, General Director of Antiquities Abdel Rahman Mohamed and the Board Members of the General Directorate of Antiquities, Khartoum State Minister of Culture and Information Mohamed Yousef El-Diger, TİKA Khartoum Program Coordinator Celalettin Güngenci and numerous bureaucrats.

Governor of Khartoum General Abdel Rahim Mohammed Hussein stated that Turkey and Sudan share an eternal and everlasting friendship that is based on solid foundations, they follow Turkey very closely on all issues and take it as an example, and they are very happy with the projects implemented by TİKA not only in central locations but also even in the farthest places. Hussein expressed his gratitude to Turkish people and especially to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Khartoum State Minister of Culture and Information Mohamed Yousef El-Diger explained that TİKA carried out major projects in Sudan and said, “TİKA shares Turkey’s experience with Sudan on different areas. The restoration of Al Kabir Mosque will be boon not only to our country but to all Muslims.”

Turkish Ambassador to Khartoum İrfan Neziroğlu pointed out that TİKA revitalizes historical sites and said, “TİKA brings the shared history of the two nations back to life with its projects. The restoration of the Palace of Sultan Ali Dinar in Sudan’s city of Al-Fashir will be completed soon and it will be inaugurated. The efforts to renovate Suakin Island true to its original form are ongoing at full speed.”