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Mit Ghamr
City in Dakahlia, Egypt From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Mit Ghamr (Arabic: ميت غمر, IPA: [ˈmiːt ˈɣɑmɾ]) is a city in Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt and located on the banks of the Damietta branch. It is a major center producing aluminium accounting for more than 70% of Egypt's total production, especially aluminium utensils. Mit Ghamr is a city in Dakahlia Governorate, where it is second only to Al Mansurah in population and importance, It was a center of Sufism during the Mamluk era, and was later settled by foreign communities in the modern era. It also played a role in resisting the French and British occupations.
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Etymology
Mit Ghamr was historically known as "Minyat Ghamr" (Arabic: منية غمر), but over time, the name evolved into its current form,[2] The word "Minyat" has an Arabic origin meaning "an elegant house surrounded by gardens." Some researchers believe that "Mit" comes from a Coptic word of ancient Egyptian origin meaning "road" or another word meaning "place."[3] However, researchers favor the Arabic origin of the word, given the widespread use of "Minyat" in the names of Egyptian villages and cities during the Islamic era. A number of ancient historians, such as Yaqut al-Hamawi in his Dictionary of Countries, referred to many places in Egypt that bore the name "Minyat" which supports this interpretation,[4] The word "Ghamr" means submersion or flood Because of the city's proximity to the eastern branch of the Nile River, it was submerged several times before the construction of the High Dam. Therefore, the city's name in Coptic theory means "flooded place.", and In Arabic it means "the elegant house submerged in water."[3]
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History
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Foundation and Origin
The foundation of Mit Ghamr—historically known as Minyat Ghamr—dates back to the Fatimid period (10th–12th centuries CE). During that era, large tracts of land in the eastern Nile Delta, particularly in the region known as al-Ḥūf al-Sharqī (the Eastern District), were granted to Arab tribes to secure their allegiance and ensure stability near the Damietta branch of the Nile.[5]
Among the many Arab settlements established in this region was Minyat Ghamr, which emerged as one of the larger villages along the eastern bank of the Nile, directly across from the present-day city of Zefta. Historical sources such as al-Maqrīzī and al-Qalqashandī mention the presence of Arab tribes—particularly Lakhm and Judhām—in the area Among them are the Banu Shawar, who are attributed to the well-known Fatimid minister, Shawar.[5][6][7]
Later, during the Ayyubid period, waves of migration continued due to the Crusades. Tribes from the Eastern Delta and the ancient port of al-Farama (Pelusium) moved inland, founding new villages named after their clans, many of which were prefixed with the term Minyat, In this context, Minyat Ghamr grew in prominence and eventually evolved into the modern city known today as Mit Ghamr.[5]
The Mamluk era
During the Mamluk era, Mit Ghamr was administratively affiliated to the Eastern Province, and enjoyed a prominent position among the Mamluk princes, as they were granted fiefdoms there.[3] The city witnessed unrest and destruction in 863 AH / 1458 AD due to the transgressions of some Arab sheikhs, which prompted its notables to form a delegation that headed to Cairo to present their complaints to Sultan Sayf al-Din Inal, who ordered the dispatch of a Mamluk military force to maintain security and restore stability, the city was a center for Sufi scholars and religious figures, attracting disciples from across Egypt. Several historical shrines remain, such as the Shrine of Sidi Muhammad al-Wa’iz, Sidi Khalaf, and Arbaeen, dating back to the 15th century. The Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay attempted to meet Abu al-Abbas al-Ghamri, one of the city's renowned Sufi figures, but was unsuccessful, so he later sent his son to visit him.[8]
The Ottoman era
The administrative status of the city changed during the Ottoman era, as Mit Ghamr was annexed to the Dakahlia Governorate according to the Ottoman quadrature carried out by the Ottoman governor Hadım Suleiman Pasha during the reign of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.[9] The Turkish traveler Evliya Çelebi noted that during his visit, Mit Ghamr contained 4,000 houses, 9 mosques, 35 mosques, 7 schools, 12 offices, 7 caravanserais, and 600 shops.[10]
In the Ottoman era, Mit Ghamr thrived as a key trade hub due to its strategic location along the Nile River trade routes. However, the city suffered significant destruction when Abd al-Daim bin Baqar, a rebel Arab tribal leader, burned it down during his revolt against Ottoman rule During the reign of Hayır Bey of Egypt.[11][12][13]
Mit Ghamr was also distinguished by its flourishing blacksmithing industry, with an integrated industrial complex comprising markets, workshops, and an administrative system overseen by the "Qisaira." This industry had a clear and integrated infrastructure, demonstrating the advancement of the city's traditional crafts. The city also featured a prominent goldsmiths' quarter, which specialized in crafting and selling gold and silver jewelry and still exists today. It is noteworthy that the dhimmis (non-Muslims) monopolized this profession at the time.[3]
Resistance during the French Campaign in Egypt
Revolt of the Amir al-Hajj (March 1799)
During Napoleon Bonaparte’s invasion of Egypt, Mit Ghamr played a pivotal role in resisting the French occupation by cutting off supply routes along the Nile River. This act of defiance angered the French and marked the beginning of a local uprising led by Mustafa Bey the Kethüda of Egypt, who was also appointed then by Napoleon himself as the Amir al-Hajj of Egypt.[14][15][16][17]
Taking advantage of Napoleon’s departure from Egypt in early 1799, Mustafa Bey launched a rebellion on March 25, 1799, making Mit Ghamr the center of his operations. As French forces and ships left Cairo to support the Levant campaign, Mustafa Bey gathered followers from northern Egypt. Several rebellious Bedouin tribes also joined his cause, motivated by his religious influence and his official role in the Ottoman administration.[14][15][18][17]
The rebel forces were estimated to be in the thousands. Although the French eventually suppressed the uprising and Mustafa Bey fled to Palestine, the people of Mit Ghamr rose up again. Supported this time by surviving Mamluk factions, they attacked a large French warship loaded with weapons and cannons, capturing and killing the French soldiers on board.[14][19][15]
Battle of Kafour Negm (June 1799)
On June 5, 1799, the French launched a military operation to crush the renewed rebellion in Mit Ghamr. They advanced towards Kafour Negm, a village in the Sharqia Governorate, where rebel forces from Mit Ghamr had assembled and were preparing for confrontation.[14][20]
A fierce battle ensued between the French and the rebels. Despite the intensity of the fighting, the rebels were ultimately defeated, suffering approximately 130 casualties. In response, Napoleon ordered the establishment of permanent French garrisons in Mit Ghamr to reinforce control over the Nile Delta.[14][21]
However, the region continued to witness frequent disturbances and unrest, compelling the French military to resort to harsh and violent tactics to restore order. In retaliation for the earlier seizure of French ships, General Lanusse ordered the burning and destruction of Mit Ghamr, marking one of the most severe punitive actions taken by the French in the Delta region.[14][19][21][18]
The Muhammad Ali dynasty era
Mit Ghamr witnessed an industrial and educational renaissance during the reign of Muhammad Ali. A cotton spinning factory was established there, with 75 wheels and 50 cotton gins. It was part of a network of factories established in Lower Egypt to support the spinning and weaving industry. An indigo factory was also established in the city, which was used locally, and the surplus was sent to Cairo to be sold in foreign markets. These factories contributed to stimulating the local economy and strengthening the city's industrial role, which continues to the present day. An elementary school was established there in 1837, teaching French, Arabic, and Turkish, along with mathematics, history, and other subjects. Muhammad Ali hired a number of Al-Azhar scholars to oversee its affairs, but the school was closed in 1846 after the Egyptian-Ottoman War.[22][23]
By the 19th and early 20th centuries, during the rule of the Muhammad Ali dynasty, Mit Ghamr became home to a large foreign community, including Greeks, Italians, and French residents. At its peak in the late 19th century, the foreign population exceeded 200 individuals, which was significant for a provincial Egyptian city. Many European-style villas and mansions remain from this period, such as the Babban Mansion (formerly an Italian bank) and the Imbroir Mansion.[11]
The Great fire of Mit Ghamr (1902)
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In 1902, a huge fire broke out in Mit Ghamr that lasted 12 days and spread to the surrounding villages. The result of this fire was the affected of more than 5,000 people and alot of them died, This prompted many celebrities in Egypt to ask people to donate to rebuild the city and help its people. Among the most prominent of these was the writer Mustafa Lutfi Al-Manfaluti and Imam Muhammad Abduh, who said about the incident: “The accident is not a minor one; the number of injured is five thousand and a few hundred, including children who lost their families, and merchants and craftsmen whose machines and capital were destroyed, and it is impossible for them to start life again except with the help of their brothers, otherwise they will become vagrants, voyeurists, or beggars.”[24] which made this incident the subject of poems of mourning by Egyptian poets such as Ahmed Shawqi and Hafez Ibrahim.[25][26][27]
Resistance to British Occupation
Like many other Egyptian cities, Mit Ghamr expressed strong hostility toward British rule during the occupation period (1882–1956).[28] The city witnessed several incidents of resistance, particularly in relation to the railway infrastructure, which was a key component of British military logistics.[29] At one point, General Wilson dispatched a military train to repair damaged railway lines in the area. However, local residents ambushed the train by cutting the track behind it, effectively trapping the convoy. A British rescue unit attempted to intervene, but it was repelled by fierce opposition from the Mit Ghamr Vigilance Committee, a local civilian resistance group. Subsequent clashes resulted in the deaths of 30 civilians initially, followed by 50 more in further confrontations. Despite reinforcement deployments, which led to an additional 10 casualties, Wilson admitted that Mit Ghamr remained outside effective British control for a period, and attacks on railway lines persisted.[29]
Another significant episode occurred during the 1919 Egyptian Revolution, following the declaration of the Zefta Republic by nationalist leader Youssef El-Gindi. After British forces failed to seize Zefta, they withdrew to Mit Ghamr to regroup. However, the people of Mit Ghamr mounted intense resistance, compelling the British to deploy the 15th Australian Light Horse Regiment to quell the uprising and restore order. British forces also utilized armored trains to protect railway lines and secure supply routes, highlighting the strategic importance of the Delta region during the occupation.[30][31][32][33][34]
The Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society with Frederick Oakley Lasbrey founded a medical mission in Mit Ghamr in 1928.[35]
Mit Ghamr actively participated in the national movement during the 1935 uprising against the British occupation. On November 14, the city's students held a massive demonstration to mark National Jihad Day, chanting for the downfall of England and the government and denouncing Hoare's statement. On November 21, lawyers in Mit Ghamr went on strike in solidarity with the nationwide strikes mourning the martyrs. On December 14, a massive evening demonstration, spearheaded by the doctors' and lawyers' unions, residents, merchants, and students, toured the city in protest and national outrage. Chanting was for the National Front, independence, and the 1923 Constitution.[36]
The Modern era
The events of the 2011 Egyptian revolution in Mit Ghamr saw about 10,000 demonstrators take to the streets of the city. A number of them tried to storm a police station, but the officers and sergeants threatened to fire live bullets, and the rest of the demonstrators confronted them to prevent acts of sabotage.[37]
In 2013, Mit Ghamr witnessed widespread protests and demonstrations against the Muslim Brotherhood in front of the group's headquarters in the city The demonstrators chanted slogans such as "The people want to bring down the regime." leading to clashes between protesters and Brotherhood members, culminating in the storming and destruction of the headquarters.[38][39]
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Landmarks
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Mit Ghamr city is home to numerous historical and cultural landmarks that reflect its rich heritage. The following are some of the most notable landmarks. It is worth noting that a significant portion of these landmarks has been lost due to the city having been destroyed three times throughout its history, resulting in the disappearance of many ancient sites.[11][3]
The most famous landmarks include:
The French Bridge
The French Bridge is the only structure connecting the city of Mit Ghamr to the city of Zefta in Gharbia Governorate. Made by the French company Daydé & Pillé in Paris ,It was constructed in 1907 during the British occupation of Egypt due to the ease of transporting weapons and ammunition, the bridge is distinguished by the fact that it can be opened and closed for the passage of ships. The bridge was a target for Israeli aircraft during the Yom Kippur War, but it is said that the air defense unit tasked with guarding it, with the help of the popular resistance, destroyed the aircraft on the mission, and it spans approximately 417 meters. The bridge witnessed clashes between local residents and British forces during the events of the short-lived Republic of Zefta.[40][41]
Dawoud Bek Salama palace
The palace was built in 1926 for Dawoud Bek Salama, a prominent figure in Mit Ghamr of French origin. The palace was the headquarters of the National Democratic Party in the city before the 2011 Egyptian revolution. The palace consists of a basement and two main floors, in addition to an upper floor above the roof. It is surrounded by a large garden enclosed by a high wall, and is distinguished by its diverse architectural elements, combining Greek, Roman, Andalusian, Mashriqi Arabic, and Renaissance styles, making it one of the most architecturally diverse palaces in Egypt.[11]
Emir Hammad Mosque
Emir Hammad mosque is considered one of the ancient Islamic monuments in Mit Ghamr, the mosque dating back to the Ottoman era, specifically the seventeenth century AD ,built in 1615.It is a hanging mosque built in the style of a courtyard surrounded by four iwans. It is decorated with a two-story minaret on top of its facade and a finely crafted wooden pulpit. The mosque resembles the architectural style of Mamluk schools, although it was built in the Ottoman era.The mosque is distinguished by being the only remaining corner in the Delta and by being elevated above the ground. The mosque is rectangular, 31.65 m long and 14.50 m wide. Since it consists of iwans, the largest of which is the southeastern iwan facing the qibla and the northeastern one facing it.[42][43]
The Church of the Virgin Mary
The Church of the Virgin Mary is a church that was first built as part of a group of churches built by Empress Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, in the fourth century AD. However, this church was demolished and rebuilt several times, the last of which was in 1881 but It was built in the same style as it was when it was first built which belongs to the Byzantine style of churches, The church also contains a collection of sacred books bound in silver, crosses, and antique incense burners. There is also an antique chalice chair, which is a box made of precious local wood with holy images. It is considered one of the oldest churches in Egypt and the Middle East.[44][45][46]
Al-Ghamry Minaret
Al-Ghamry Minaret is an ancient minaret dating back to the Mamluk era in Mit Ghamr, built in 1499. It is considered the oldest remaining example of double-headed Mamluk minarets in Egypt.It is likely that the Al-Ghamri Minaret was the first minaret built in this Mamluk style outside Cairo, but the minaret's tops fell in 1963 and the minaret remained standing without tops until it was restored.[47][48]
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Geography
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Mit Ghamr city is located on Damietta branch of the Nile, and just on the opposite side of the Nile located another city called Zifta which belongs to Gharbia Governorate. Mit Ghamr is located in the middle of four governorates, Dakahlia to the north, Al Qaliobiah to the south, Al Sharqiah to the east and Al Gharbiah to the west. It is about 43 kilometers away from Al Mansurah and 27 kilometers away from Zagazig, the capital of Sharqia, also about 35 kilometers from Banha, the capital of Qalyubia, and 29 kilometers from Tanta, the capital of Al Gharbiah.[2][49]
The area of Mit Ghamr was estimated at approximately 0.41 km2 in 1930. The city's development shifted southward with the extension of the Al-Mu'tahada railway in 1936. With the growth of Mit Ghamr, the village of Daqadous also grew. The city's area reached 0.68 km2 in 1950, influenced by development projects during that period, such as the establishment of a cotton gin, oil and textile industries, and the development of the health system. The development of Daqadous merged with that of Mit Ghamr during that period until it was annexed in 1968.[50] With the city's rapid urban growth in all directions, its area reached approximately 2.52 km2 in 1974. Over time, the area increased to 3.58 km2 in 1984, 3.81 km2 in 2000, and 4.41 km2 in 2006. Today, the city of Ghamr is a separate section from its center, with no sheikhdoms. Its center has 53 villages.[51]
Villages
Mit Ghamr includes many villages such as Mit Yaeish, Mit El Faramawi, Mit Nagy, Dundait, Masara, Simbo Maqam, Makkam, Kafr Serenga, Sant Mai, and Sanafa. Those villages are located around the city where farmers grow various crops such as corn, rice, wheat and cotton.[52]
Climate
Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies its climate as hot desert (BWh).
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Population
The population of markaz MIT Ghamr is 698,863 as of 2023[54]and the population of Mit Ghamr city is 156,319 as of 2023.[55]
Education
The educational sector is one of the most prominent sectors in Mit Ghamr, commensurate with the city's population size and geographical location. The city includes a group of educational institutions covering various levels and fields.Inside Mit Ghamr itself is the Faculty of Specific Education, Mansoura University Branch.[56]
Mit Ghamr is home to a large number of educational institutions, including public and private schools of various types, including primary, preparatory, and secondary schools, which include general and technical education, as well as agricultural, architectural, industrial, and commercial specialties, in addition to Al-Azhar institutes. The oldest school in the city is the Coptic Archaeological School, established in 1900. The city also includes the Egyptian-Japanese School in Mit Ghamr, which employs the Japanese educational model.[51][57]
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Economy
In Mit Ghamr was the city in which Dr. Ahmad El Naggar set up the first Islamic bank which pioneered the global Islamic Banking system.[58][59][60]
Mit Ghamr is an aluminum production centre in Egypt,[61] To solve the problems facing the aluminum industry, including the crisis of factory owners spread within residential areas and noise, visual and air pollution, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi inaugurated the Mit Ghamr Investment Zone, covering a total area of 18 acres, at a cost of EGP 418 million, with the aim of supporting economic and social development in Egypt, attracting foreign investments, encouraging local investments and providing job opportunities, as it includes 107 industrial units.,[62] which is the first zone specialized in metal and engineering industries in Egypt, supporting medium and large projects.
There are also some textile mills at Mit Ghamr.[63]
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Religion
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Islam
The vast majority of the city's population, like most Egyptian cities, are Muslims, specifically Sunni Muslims The number of Muslims in the city reached 86,783 people in the 1986 census out of a total population of 91,927, The city also contains a large number of mosques and small prayer corners.[64]
Christianity
Mit Ghamr is a separate diocese that includes Dakadous and the eastern lands. It has a group of Orthodox churches.[65]
Christians in the city constitute a small percentage, and the majority of them are Coptic Orthodox, and the number of them reached 5,133 in the 1986 census, out of a total population of 91,927 in the city at thistime.[64] The city also contains many churches for the Orthodox and Protestant denominations, and some of these churches are considered historic churches, such as:
- A large Coptic Orthodox Church, called the Great Martyr Mar Girgis (Saint George) church which is located on Al-Asmar Street. The church has been there for many years. Some people thought that Saint George appeared in the church around the year 1902 when there was a big fire in the town and the church was the only place saved from the fire, claiming that they saw him hovering on top of the church with his horse.[66]
- The Evangelical Church is a private church for the Protestant sect, built by the British in 1926. It is the most important and largest Protestant church in the region.
Judaism
Mit Ghamr was known for having a relatively large Jewish community, many of whose members worked in commerce.[67] Statistics from 1902 indicate that its population numbered approximately 242 people at the beginning of the 20th century.[68] The community reportedly had at least two synagogues, one of which was known as the Clement Bardo Synagogue. The community also owned a bakery for preparing matzah, an unleavened bread eaten by Jews during Passover.[69]
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Notable people
- Mit Ghamr is home to one of the best known Islamic scholars, Sheikh Muhammad Metwally Al Shaarawy, who was born in the village of Daqadus where he was finally buried.
- Noman Ashour is an Egyptian poet and playwright, born in Mit Ghamr, He is known for establishing realism in Egyptian drama, He has many plays that have been felt among Egyptians.
- Gehad Grisha is Egyptian former football referee who refereed in the Egyptian Premier League from and was a FIFA-listed referee from. He refereed at five consecutive Africa Cup of Nations tournaments between 2012 and 2019, and also officiated at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
- Salah Nasr is an Egyptian military and political leader, born in the village of Santamay, Mit Ghamr District, He was the head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service between 1957 and 1967, Salah Nasr is considered the most famous head of Egyptian intelligence and has a prominent role in raising the status of Egyptian General Intelligence, Many successful operations were carried out during his tenure.
- Selim Hassan was the most famous Egyptian Egyptologist Born in Mit Nagi, Mit Ghamr, He was the first native Egyptian to be appointed Professor of Egyptology at the University of Cairo, a post he held from 1936 to 1939, He was then made Deputy-Director of the Antiquities Service. he wrote the 18-volume Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt in Arabic and supervised the excavation of many ancient Egyptian tombs under the auspices of Cairo University.
- Hemat Mustafa is an Egyptian media figure born in Mit Ghamr. She is from the pioneer generation and is considered the first female broadcaster to appear on Egyptian television and read news bulletins.
References
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