Archaeologists are calling for the immediate suspension of a high-profile auction in the Netherlands, marking a new chapter in Egypt’s international efforts to reclaim its historical heritage.
The Council of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists announced on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, that it has formally requested the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities to intervene in the sale of a rare manuscript of the celebrated poem “Al-Burda” by Imam Al-Busiri.
The document, which dates back to 853 AH (1449–1450 CE), is currently listed by the Dutch auction house Oriental Art Auctions, with the bidding scheduled to conclude on April 21. According to Mohamed Al-Kahlawi, president of the Council, the manuscript is an “integral element of Egyptian cultural memory.” The Council’s appeal emphasizes that the circulation of such a significant piece on the international market exposes a critical need for better systems to track and protect heritage objects before they reach the auction block.
Archaeologists have presented compelling evidence regarding the manuscript’s provenance. Inscriptions within the text confirm it was completed in Cairo on the 25th of Ramadan, 853, by the calligrapher Youssef Al-Bayadi. Furthermore, the first page explicitly states the work was intended for the private library of the Mamluk Sultan Al-Zahir Jaqmaq. This detailed documentation provides a strong legal basis for a restitution claim, illustrating the historical and cultural significance of the piece to the Egyptian state.
Despite existing legal protections, such as Law No. 8 of 2009, this case underscores the ongoing difficulty of preventing the dispersal of cultural property across international borders. The Union of Arab Archaeologists has urged Dar Al-Kutub and other relevant authorities to launch legal proceedings to block the sale. This late-stage mobilization highlights persistent vulnerabilities in the management of written heritage, even as private collectors continue to show a high demand for historical artifacts from the Arab world.
MK/ak/te/fss/abj/APA