OUTRAGE AS HOTEL IS PLANNED ON MOUNT SINAI

People from all over the world have been up in arms as news broke that a hotel is planned on the holy Mount Sinai.

The mountain is one of the Christian and Muslim religions’ most sacred places and is located in Egypt.

Mount Sinai is said to be where Moses received the Ten Commandments, and it’s also believed to be the place where God spoke to the prophet from the burning bush.

The mountain, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is isolated and is also home to the 6th-century Saint Catherine’s Monastery run by the Greek Orthodox Church. It’s also home to a traditional Bedouin community known as the Guardians of Saint Catherine.

Now, construction has started to erect villas, luxury hotels and shopping bazaars.

The BBC reports that locals, who number about 4,000, are unwilling to speak directly about the changes.

The Egyptian government is promoting the development as it believes it will boost tourism further.

“The project will provide all tourism and recreational services for visitors, promote the development of the town [of Saint Catherine] and its surrounding areas while preserving the environmental, visual, and heritage character of the pristine nature, and provide accommodation for those working on St Catherine's projects,” Housing Minister Sherif el-Sherbiny said.

Image credit: National Catholic Register