UNESCO chief hails Islamic Museum renovation project

Visiting UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova praised on Thursday the rapid completion of the Islamic Museum renovation project.

During a visit to probe latest developments of the project, in the presence of Minister of Antiquities Mamdouh el Damati, Bokova likened the archaeological project to the world's most famous museums.

Today's visit, which comes ahead of opening the museum, was also attended by La Francophonie organization secretary general.

UNESCO director's keenness to visit to the museum underscores the world's huge attention to the project, el Damati said.

In January 2014, the Museum was subjected to severe destruction and damage after a car bomb exploded outside the adjacent Cairo Security Directorate. 

The blast of the bomb destroyed the facade of the building and the nearby Egyptian National Library and Archives building.

As a part of the renovation project, a children's guide including caricatures will be distributed to children during the opening of the museum.