Maadi

Bits of this post are from an old Maadi map that provided some history, as well assume current periodicals that we received during our visit...

Maadi literally means “ferry landing” – historically, it appears there have always been settlements here along the Nile River.  Coptic (Egyptian Christian) Church history records that this is the community through which the Holy Family (Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus) came through to either cross the Nile or to secure passage south on the Nile to Upper Egypt (due to higher elevation) where Jewish settlements were thought to have been.  Along the southern part of Maadi, you will find the Coptic Church of the Virgin Mary, which was purposefully built here as a memorial to the Holy Family’s visit and they hold an annual special liturgy on June 1^st in commemoration. 

This is particularly a significant and affirming bit of history for our own calling.  I found a painting on papyrus of the Holy Family on pilgrimage in Egypt—I hope to have this framed and hung in the entryway of our new home in Maadi.  As many of you have heard about the events leading to our call, you know that Keli was more on board early in our praying than I was.  As I prepared that week for the message to take place on the next Sunday after we were asked to serve, the pre-planned passage of Scripture was on Joseph’s dream to escape to Egypt; particularly, Matthew 2:13, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt…”  This was a confirming Scripture to our sense of call to serve in Egypt, so to make the connection from that passage to this particular history is just really cool.

Since the beginning of the 20^th Century, Maadi has been home for many internationals.  The Delta Land Company bought up large portions of property along the rail lines.  They began with developing a round-about / city square and then several main streets radiating from there, among which was Road 9 running parallel to the rail line.  Road 9 became the center from shops, restaurants and services.  Additional streets were planned and lots were created for homes; the streets were numbered and planned in a grid pattern, while the avenues were lined with a variety of beautiful trees and flowers creating quite a garden district.  The Delta Land Company maintained strict control of the community and enforced higher standards on the residence construction for decades, providing a safe, international friendly haven for decades with the creation of sports clubs, schools, and more. 

Political events of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s led to the Delta Land Company being dissolved and their properties and assets seized locally, along with many other businesses.  Neighboring residential lots were snatched up as many expatriates now finding themselves enemies of the community fled; the result was several villas destroyed to make way for apartment buildings.  The quality and control once exercised by the Delta Land Company also were destroyed resulting in a deterioration of quality throughout the community.

In the past few decades, the quality has returned to Maadi, with many expatriates still residing in the Maadi community.  Area nationals and expatriates alike have formed community organizations that work together for improving the quality and standards of the community.  Restrictions of building have been instituted to prevent the building of high-rise apartment buildings and to preserve the natural beauty of this garden district. 

The future of Maadi being home to internationals, diplomats and the higher classes of Egyptian nationals is uncertain.  With the introduction of foreign investments, such as the Saudi owned City Stars mall, there are several multi-million dollar communities being built new toward the airport along the major highways and away from the pollution, clutter, and chaos of the city.  We have also heard that some companies have begun, or are at least contemplating, building their own residential communities around their headquarters for their employees and their families to reduce the commutes, and to separate their employees from the masses in the city.

Nonetheless, Maadi will be our home and a continuing portal for the Church of God’s ministry engagement into this strategic part of the world.