The Mogamma

The Mogamma or Mugamma, (Arabic مجمع التحرير, DMG Muǧamma ʿ at- Tahrir ) is the central administrative building in Egypt, located in Cairo.

The building was built in 1950 by the Soviet Union and gift instance passed to the Egyptian state. They promised this does not inconsiderable influence on Egypt and its region. The Soviet Union was expecting a political solidarity. 1952, the construction was completed and was handed over. Mohamed Naguib rulers and be the lead military henchman Gamal Abdel Nasser represented the Egyptian state upon receipt of acceptance. Shortly thereafter ignited the Egyptian revolution. In 1954, Nasser was president of the country, which is why he also grew to identify with the building.

The Mogamma is located in downtown Cairo, at about the time the newly created Tahrir Square ( Liberation Square ), barely 400 meters from the right bank of the Nile away.

Function

The Mogamma is the main administration building by a central government. This is where all administrative threads together. In addition to applying for driving licenses, visas abroad and building matters here can do tax returns and Religious Affairs. Be spread over 14 floors of 18,000 civil servants employed.

Structure and architecture

Structure and architecture of the Mogamma - building were influenced by Soviet architectural style of the time, though created by an Egyptian architect. This was Kamal Ismail. The building is oriented to optical Imposanz. The plan pretended that the building should summarize the entire central government organization, at the same time but should not be wasteful to deal with the capacity of space. The architectural style aimed to intimidate, by hugeness of the dimensions and the concave section of the access side. During Nasser's presidency should own authoritarian claims asserted, but also deference to be paid to the Soviet Union. This claim braid should already express and realize in the building.

The Mogamma in the cinema

The Mogamma appears in several Egyptian movies, the most famous Terrorism and Kebab is. It is a comedy in which the building is the epitome of middle-class frustration with the state bureaucracy. The film carves out which insurmountable obstacles bloated administrative apparatus provides the individual inhabitants of the land. So it is not surprising in this context that a planning application plate is continued as a potential terrorist in the files. The film takes possession of the Mogamma as a symbol of all malfunctions (corruption, bribery, loss of time ) in the Egyptian state.

The Mogamma today

Since 2005, there are plans to relocate the central administration. The Mogamma is suspected to be responsible for the daily observable high traffic jam to be (especially on Tahrir Square ) and is intended solely be outsourced to near Cairo University - finds her new home - and thus in a desert area.

On the other hand, are contrary to this project good reasons. So inconveniences are out in the field, which require lots a shift for the employees by themselves. Furthermore, it is feared that not inconsiderable compensations are required for a move. Add to that the fact that architects who speak out against a move to highlight the prestigious location of Mogamma and point out better to create parks and gardens, as well as the building to renovate. Ultimately, the view was expressed that a shift of the central administration would trigger follow issues related to the accessibility to the common man.