Displaying Mummies Honors Them, Antiquities Expert Says, Backing Egypt’s Right to Seek Their Return

Antiquities expert Dr. Abdel Rahim Rihan has said displaying mummies is a form of honoring them rather than an insult, and that Egypt has the right to demand their return.

Rihan linked the study of ancient remains and monuments to Islam’s call to examine the traces of earlier civilizations and reflect on the lessons they offer.

He described these traces as material evidence that sheds light on the lives of ancient peoples, helping explain the reasons behind their prosperity or decline.

His remarks placed the display of mummies within a broader discussion of how societies engage with the past: as an opportunity for reflection and understanding, rather than an act of disrespect.